Frequently Asked Questions
Question: At what age does North Dakota require angers to possess a valid fishing license?
Answer: All anglers 16 years of age and older in North Dakota are required to possess a valid fishing license.
Question: Is my annual North Dakota fishing license good for a full year?
Answer: North Dakota annual fishing licenses are valid from April 1 through March 31.
Question: Does my 12 year old child have their own fishing limit or are their fish included in my limit?
Answer: North Dakota residents under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license. Any nonresident under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a nonresident fishing license if accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license.
Question: I forgot my fishing license at home. Can I still fish in North Dakota without my license in possession?
Answer: In North Dakota, an angler’s fishing license must be in the possession of the licensee at all times while fishing. A digital image of your North Dakota fishing license stored on a mobile device is accepted as a license in possession.
Question: I am a full-time student in North Dakota. Can I purchase a resident fishing license?
Answer: Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident fishing licenses. Contact the Department for details.
Question: I am active duty in the US military. I am going to be on leave in North Dakota. Do I need a fishing license?
Answer: North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Contact the Department for details.
Question: Are there any free fishing days in North Dakota when fishing licenses are not required?
Answer: Yes. See the North Dakota Fishing Regulations for actual days.
PRICES DISCLOSURE: We do our best to stay current, but prices can change without notice to us. The prices below may or may not be the exact current prices for the license(s) listed.
How much does a fishing license cost?
Fishing licenses in North Dakota can range from about $3.00 for a Resident VET Combo fishing license to about $63.00 for a Nonresident Annual Married Couple fishing license. Take a look below for all the resident and nonresident fishing licenses and prices.
North Dakota Resident Fishing License Prices
North Dakota Resident Fish/Hunt/Furbearer Certificate (required): Resident only needs to buy 1 of these for the year.
$1.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Annual Fishing | Ages 16 and Older: Price includes license costs and ANS surcharge.
$18.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Annual Married Couple Fishing License: Price includes ANS surcharge.
$24.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Senior Fishing License | Ages 65 and Older:
$5.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Totally/Permanently Disabled Fishing License: Proof of disability required.
$5.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Veteran Fishing License: Resident has 50% service-related disability
$5.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Combo Fish/Hunt License | Ages 16 and Older: Price includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses and also includes ANS surcharge.
$52.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Veteran Combo Fish/Hunt License: Price includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses. Also requires 100% service-related disability.
$3.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Resident Paddlefish Permit:
$10.00 BUY NOW
How much does a nonresident fishing license cost?
North Dakota Nonresident Fishing License Prices
North Dakota Nonresident Fish, Hunt, Furbearer Certificate (required): Resident only needs to buy 1 of these for the year.
$2.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Nonresident Annual Fishing License | Ages 16 and Older: Nonresidents under 16 do not need a fishing license if accompanied by a licensed adult, except that paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers. Price includes license costs and ANS surcharge.
$48.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Nonresident 3-Day Fishing License: Price includes license costs and ANS surcharge.
$28.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Nonresident 10-Day Fishing License: Price includes license costs and ANS surcharge.
$38.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Nonresident Annual Married Couple Fishing License: Price includes ANS surcharge.
$63.00 BUY NOW
North Dakota Nonresident Paddlefish Permit:
$25.50 BUY NOW
View the North Dakota Fishing Regulations.
Where can I buy a fishing license?
By phone at (800) 406-6409
Here are some of the best places to fish in North Dakota.
All information listed above can also be seen on the fishing license page of the North Dakota Game and Fish website.