Indiana fishing license
Indiana requires a recreational fishing license from age 18. The state licenses freshwater fishing. The current license year is 2026-2027 (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027).
Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Indiana, the official match is Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon).
Published cost for this trip$15
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)$15 · Valid for the single date selected at purchase.
What it covers
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon) — freshwater. Base licence fee published by Indiana DNR; the trout/salmon stamp privilege is included. Tech fees apply.
Required add-ons
No stamp or endorsement is attached to this licence for your residency, age and trip length. Check “You may also need” below for requirements that depend on where and what you fish.
You may also need
Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.
- Trout/Salmon Stamp Privilege — To legally fish for or take trout and salmon from Indiana public waters you must have a valid trout/salmon stamp in addition to a valid fishing license. The same $11 fee applies to residents and nonresidents. It is already included in the one-day, senior annual and Senior Fish-for-Life licences. · $11
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon) covers the full trip: Valid for the single date selected at purchase.
Other options you are eligible for
- Nonresident Seven-Day Fishing License — $35 for this trip · Valid for the seven-day period selected at purchase.
- Nonresident Annual Fishing License — $60 for this trip · Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
Exceptions that may change it
- Indiana has a free fishing day coming up on September 26, 2026 (Indiana Free Fishing Day); May 10, 2026 (Indiana Free Fishing Day), June 6, 2026 (Indiana Free Fishing Day) and June 7, 2026 (Indiana Free Fishing Day) have already passed. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents who are legally blind. Proof of being legally blind is not required while fishing.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents who have a developmental disability as defined by IC 12-7-2-61. Proof of the disability is not required while fishing.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility, or for residents of any licensed health care facility in Indiana taking part in a supervised fishing activity sponsored by the facility.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for fishing in a private pond that does not allow fish entry from or exit to public waters.
- Resident owners of Indiana farmland, resident lessees of Indiana farmland who farm that land, and the spouses and children living with them are exempt while fishing on the farmland they own or lease. There is no acreage requirement. The exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation, or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members, or owners are composed solely of the members of an immediate family.
- Some nonresident landowners are exempt while fishing in public waters from the farmland they own, according to the exemptions that their own state provides to Indiana residents.
- Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service while on approved military leave are exempt from needing a fishing license.
- This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.
Check current Indiana regulations(external, opens the official state website)Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.
- Source
- Fish and Wildlife: License Fees — Indiana DNR(external, opens the official state website) — Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Validity
- 2026-2027 · April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
Answers at a glance
Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.
Visiting for a day
Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day
Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)
Published total: $15
Resident for the season
Adult Indiana resident · freshwater · all year
Resident Annual Fishing License
Published total: $23
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. To qualify for resident fishing licenses, a person must have established a true fixed and permanent home and primary residence in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit and may not claim residency for fishing, hunting, or trapping in another state or country. All other people are considered nonresidents. Nonresident military personnel on active duty and stationed in Indiana may purchase an Indiana resident license.
Age-based rules
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents and nonresidents under age 18.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943. These residents may still buy a $3 Voluntary Senior Annual Fishing License to support conservation. Still required: Such residents should carry their valid Indiana Driver's License or other identification to verify age and residency while fishing.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)To legally fish for or take trout and salmon from public waters, you must have a valid trout/salmon stamp in addition to this licence. | ResidentResidents and nonresidents under age 18 do not need a fishing license. | freshwater | All annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. | $23 |
| Resident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)(external, opens the official state website) | Resident | freshwater | Valid for the single date selected at purchase. | $10 |
| Resident Senior Annual Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)(external, opens the official state website) | ResidentIndiana residents who are at least 64 years old AND were born after March 31, 1943, need to purchase a senior fishing license to fish in Indiana. | freshwater | Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. | $3 |
| Resident Senior Fish-for-Life License (includes Trout/Salmon)(external, opens the official state website) | ResidentMust be at least 64 years old. | freshwater | The Senior Fish for Life License is valid for the rest of the holder's life. | $23 |
| Resident Voluntary Senior Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Optional purchase only; residents born before April 1, 1943 are already exempt. | ResidentFor Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943, who are exempt from needing a fishing license but choose to buy one voluntarily. | freshwater | Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. | $3 |
| Resident Annual Hunting & Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Combines annual hunting and annual fishing privileges; stamps (including trout/salmon) are separate. | Resident | freshwater | Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. | $32 |
| Resident Disabled American Veterans Hunting & Fishing License (Annual)(external, opens the official state website)Resident disabled American veterans must first complete the required DAV licence application with DNR Customer Service before buying. | Resident | freshwater | Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year; a 10-year version is $27.50. | $2.75 |
| Nonresident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website) | Non-residentResidents and nonresidents under age 18 do not need a fishing license. | freshwater | Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year. | $60 |
| Nonresident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)(external, opens the official state website) | Non-resident | freshwater | Valid for the single date selected at purchase. | $15 |
| Nonresident Seven-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website) | Non-resident | freshwater | Valid for the seven-day period selected at purchase. | $35 |
Resident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
To legally fish for or take trout and salmon from public waters, you must have a valid trout/salmon stamp in addition to this licence.
- Who
- Resident · Residents and nonresidents under age 18 do not need a fishing license.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- All annual licenses and stamp privileges are valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $23
Resident One-Day Fishing License (includes Trout/Salmon)(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid for the single date selected at purchase.
- Price
- $10
- Who
- Resident · Indiana residents who are at least 64 years old AND were born after March 31, 1943, need to purchase a senior fishing license to fish in Indiana.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $3
- Who
- Resident · Must be at least 64 years old.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- The Senior Fish for Life License is valid for the rest of the holder's life.
- Price
- $23
Resident Voluntary Senior Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Optional purchase only; residents born before April 1, 1943 are already exempt.
- Who
- Resident · For Indiana residents born before April 1, 1943, who are exempt from needing a fishing license but choose to buy one voluntarily.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $3
Resident Annual Hunting & Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Combines annual hunting and annual fishing privileges; stamps (including trout/salmon) are separate.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $32
Resident disabled American veterans must first complete the required DAV licence application with DNR Customer Service before buying.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year; a 10-year version is $27.50.
- Price
- $2.75
Nonresident Annual Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Non-resident · Residents and nonresidents under age 18 do not need a fishing license.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid from April 1 of the current year through March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $60
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid for the single date selected at purchase.
- Price
- $15
Nonresident Seven-Day Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid for the seven-day period selected at purchase.
- Price
- $35
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Trout/Salmon Stamp Privilege — To legally fish for or take trout and salmon from Indiana public waters you must have a valid trout/salmon stamp in addition to a valid fishing license. The same $11 fee applies to residents and nonresidents. It is already included in the one-day, senior annual and Senior Fish-for-Life licences. · $11
Exemptions worth knowing
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents who are legally blind. Proof of being legally blind is not required while fishing.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents who have a developmental disability as defined by IC 12-7-2-61. Proof of the disability is not required while fishing.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for residents of a state-owned mental rehabilitation facility, or for residents of any licensed health care facility in Indiana taking part in a supervised fishing activity sponsored by the facility. Still required: For licensed health care facility residents the exemption only applies while taking part in a supervised fishing activity sponsored by the facility — it does not cover fishing on their own.
- A fishing license and trout/salmon stamp are not required for fishing in a private pond that does not allow fish entry from or exit to public waters. Still required: An angler must have permission from the property owner to fish in that pond.
- Resident owners of Indiana farmland, resident lessees of Indiana farmland who farm that land, and the spouses and children living with them are exempt while fishing on the farmland they own or lease. There is no acreage requirement. The exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation, or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members, or owners are composed solely of the members of an immediate family.
- Some nonresident landowners are exempt while fishing in public waters from the farmland they own, according to the exemptions that their own state provides to Indiana residents. Still required: The exemption is reciprocal and state-by-state — the angler must confirm that their home state grants Indiana residents the same landowner privilege before relying on it. Indiana DNR publishes the current reciprocal state list on its license fees page.
- Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service while on approved military leave are exempt from needing a fishing license. Still required: The person must carry leave orders and a valid Indiana Driver's License or voter registration card to prove residency.
- On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters. All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits apply.
Free fishing days
- Indiana Free Fishing Day — May 10, 2026. Indiana DNR lists 2026 Free Fishing Days as May 10, June 6-7, and Sept. 26.
- Indiana Free Fishing Day — June 6, 2026. Residents need no fishing license or trout/salmon stamp on this day.
- Indiana Free Fishing Day — June 7, 2026. Residents need no fishing license or trout/salmon stamp on this day.
- Indiana Free Fishing Day — September 26, 2026. Residents need no fishing license or trout/salmon stamp on this day.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- Fish and Wildlife: License Fees — Indiana DNR(external, opens the official state website) — Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- Fishing Licenses & Fees — 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide (official DNR guide, last updated February 19, 2026)(external, opens the official state website)
- Free Fishing Days — Indiana DNR(external, opens the official state website)
- Disabled Veterans licence information(external, opens the official state website)
- Fish and Wildlife: Licenses & Permits(external, opens the official state website)
Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.
Nearby states
Licenses are issued state by state — a Indiana license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.