North Dakota Fishing License Cost (2026-27)
A North Dakota resident annual fishing license costs . Non-residents pay for an annual license. Short-term, senior, and combination licenses are listed below, and where to buy.
North Dakota fishing licenses are issued by North Dakota Game and Fish Department, with separate resident and non-resident pricing and short-term options for visiting anglers. The full current fee table is below, drawn from the agency's published schedule.
Statewide species rules cover most North Dakota waters, but special regulations on individual lakes take precedence where they exist; the official regulations digest is the authoritative reference. Pair this fee information with LakeQuality's North Dakota lake pages — each one carries the lake's water-quality grade, clarity readings, and trend data, which is useful context when deciding where that license gets used.
2026-27 License Fees
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing License (resident, ages 16+) / Individual Season Fishing (nonresident) | $27 | $68 | Annual license, valid April 1 - March 31. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2 resident / $5 nonresident) is also required once per year with the first license purchase, so first-purchase totals are $29 resident / $73 nonresident. |
| Married Couple Season Fishing License | $42 | $108 | Covers both spouses for the season; the official fee table lists the annual Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2 resident / $5 nonresident) alongside this license (certificate is purchased once per year per licensee). |
| 3-Day Fishing License | — | $48 | Nonresident short-term option only; plus $5 certificate. No resident short-term license exists. |
| 10-Day Fishing License | — | $58 | Nonresident short-term option only; plus $5 certificate. |
| Senior Citizen Fishing License (65 or older) | $10 | — | Resident only; plus $2 certificate. Same $10 rate applies to totally/permanently disabled residents and veterans with a 50 percent service-related disability. |
| Paddlefish Tag | $15 | $35 | Required in addition to a valid fishing license for paddlefish snagging (May 1 - 21). Required for all ages, including under 16. |
| Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate | $2 | $5 | Mandatory once-annually base certificate purchased with the first license of the license year. Not required for youth anglers: residents under 16 and accompanied nonresidents under 16 need no fishing license or certificate (the official fee table lists the certificate as n/a for under-16 fishing). |
Trout Stamp
North Dakota does not require a separate trout or salmon stamp — a standard fishing license covers trout where seasons are open. Check the North Dakota Game and Fish Department regulations for water-specific trout rules.
Who Needs a License?
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a fishing license. Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a license; nonresidents under 16 may also take and possess a limit of fish without a license when accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license. Residents 65 or older qualify for a reduced $10 Senior Citizen Fishing License, and residents who are totally/permanently disabled or veterans with a 50 percent service-related disability also pay $10.
Season & Regulations
Fishing is effectively open year-round: the hook-and-line season is open in all waters open to fishing from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year, which is also the license year. Dated exceptions include darkhouse spearfishing (Nov 15 - Mar 15), paddlefish snagging (May 1 - 21, 7 am - 7 pm CT, separate tag required), and salmon snagging (Sep 25 - Oct 31).
For complete bag limits, slot limits, and water-specific rules, see the North Dakota fishing regulations ↗.
Where to Buy
- Online: https://gf.nd.gov/buy-apply ↗
- In person: Sporting goods stores, bait shops, and county auditor / clerk offices that act as license agents.
- At DNR offices: Any North Dakota Game and Fish Department office.
Source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 2026-27.