FishingLicenseCheck

Mississippi fishing license

Mississippi requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks runs licenses from the date of purchase rather than on a license year: MDWFP publishes no fixed licence year: annual licences are "Valid one year from license start date", and MDMR states "All recreational fishing, shrimp, crab, and oyster licenses will expire one year from the date of purchase.".

Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks · Reviewed July 30, 2026

Your trip in Mississippi

Special circumstances that can change the answer

Your likely official license

Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Mississippi, the official match is Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence.

Published cost for this trip$10
  • Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence$10 · One-day freshwater fishing privilege.

What it covers

  • Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence — freshwater. Base fee published by MDWFP; the $1.00 agent fee and $4.42 process fee are listed separately and are additional.

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.

Why this answer

  1. You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
  2. Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence covers the full trip: One-day freshwater fishing privilege.
Other options you are eligible for
  • Non-Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence — $30 for this trip · Three-day freshwater fishing privilege.
  • Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Licence — $68 for this trip · Annual licence; MDWFP annual licences are valid one year from the licence start date.
  • Non-Resident Avid Angler Package — $90 for this trip · Annual package covering non-resident freshwater and saltwater fishing.Includes NR Freshwater Fishing and NR Saltwater Fishing. Not valid for Louisiana residents, who must buy the NR LA Avid Angler Package ($120.00) instead.
Reduced-fee and free licenses, if you qualify (1, from $32)

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks offers these to anglers who meet specific criteria — such as a disability, veteran or military status, low income, or tribal membership. We cannot check whether they apply to you, so they are never used as the answer above.

  • Non-Resident Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing Licence — $32 · Includes Deer Permit, Freshwater Fishing, and Archery/Primitive/Crossbow Weapon. Does not include Saltwater Fishing, WMA User Permit, Turkey Stamp, or Waterfowl Stamp. Must apply through MDWFP.

Exceptions that may change it

  • Mississippi's most recently published free fishing days were June 6, 2026 (Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents)), June 7, 2026 (Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents)) and July 4, 2026 (Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents)); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
  • Residents who are visually impaired, paraplegic, a multiple-amputee, adjudged totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, or totally service-connected disabled by the Veterans Administration are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing licence.
  • Anglers who fish for snapper, amberjack, grouper, hind, triggerfish or cobia only as a client on a charter boat do not need their own Recreational Offshore Landing Permit; the charter captain must hold a valid ROLP.
  • This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
Buy on the official Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks site

We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.

Check current Mississippi regulations

Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.

Validity
MDWFP publishes no fixed licence year: annual licences are "Valid one year from license start date", and MDMR states "All recreational fishing, shrimp, crab, and oyster licenses will expire one year from the date of purchase.".
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

Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing Licence

$10

Resident for the season

Adult Mississippi resident · freshwater · all year

Resident Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Licence

$10

Visiting for a saltwater day

Adult visiting from another state · saltwater · one day

Non-Resident 3-Day Saltwater Fishing Licence

$15

Age and residency rules

Who counts as a resident. Only persons domiciled within the State of Mississippi as defined in Section 49-7-3 of the Mississippi Code may obtain a resident hunting/fishing licence. A person's domicile is that person's principal or primary home or place of abode; however, a person holding a current driver's licence is deemed to be domiciled in the state that issued that driver's licence. Exceptions: a person domiciled in another state may buy a resident licence with a current Mississippi college or university identification card, or a current military ID showing active Armed Forces membership plus proof of being stationed on a military base in Mississippi.

Age-based rules

  • Anglers under 16 do not need a Mississippi fishing licence. Residents must be 16 through 64 to be required to buy one, and all non-resident anglers except minors under 16 must obtain a licence.
  • Mississippi residents aged 65 or older are not required to buy a freshwater fishing licence, but they must carry documentation while fishing and must still purchase a lifetime recreational saltwater fishing licence to fish marine waters. Still required: Must have documentation of age and residency in possession at all times while fishing. For marine waters, residents 65 or older must buy the lifetime recreational saltwater fishing licence (base fee $5.00; MDMR states $8.49 including all fees).

License options

LicenseWhoWaterValid forPrice
Resident Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing LicenceDoes not include saltwater fishing, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamps, or the ability to hunt deer, hog or turkey. Hunter education is not required if the licence is used only for fishing.ResidentResidents ages sixteen (16) through sixty-four (64) fishing in fresh or marine waters must buy a fishing licence.freshwaterValid one year from license start date.$10
Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing LicenceFreshwater only; does not include saltwater fishing.ResidentfreshwaterThree-day freshwater fishing privilege.$3
Resident All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing LicenceDoes not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow, Saltwater Fishing, Velvet Season Deer Hunting, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamp, Turkey Stamp, or WMA User Permit.ResidentfreshwaterThis license is valid for one year from license start date.$25
Resident Sportsman's LicenceIncludes Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include Saltwater Fishing, Federal or State Waterfowl Stamp, Turkey Stamp, Velvet Deer Hunting Permit, or WMA Permit.ResidentfreshwaterValid one year from license start date.$45
Resident Saltwater Fishing LicenceA saltwater licence is required south of U.S. Highway 90; a freshwater or saltwater licence is valid between I-10 and U.S. Highway 90; a saltwater licence is not valid north of I-10.ResidentResidents 65 or older must instead buy the Senior Lifetime Saltwater Licence.saltwaterAll recreational fishing licences expire one year from the date of purchase (MDMR).$10
Resident Avid Angler PackageIncludes Small Game Hunt/Freshwater Fishing and Saltwater Fishing.Residentfreshwater and saltwaterValid one year from license start date.$20
Resident Senior Lifetime Saltwater Licence (age 65 and over)Saltwater only. Residents 65 and older are exempt from buying a freshwater fishing licence but must carry documentation of age and residency.ResidentAge 65 and over. Effective July 1, 2010, residents 65 years of age or older are required to purchase a lifetime recreational saltwater fishing license.saltwaterLifetime saltwater licence for residents aged 65 and over.$5
Resident Senior Exempt Licence (voluntary, age 65+)Voluntary licence for residents 65 and older, who are already exempt from the freshwater licence requirement; it is never a required purchase. Includes All Game Hunting, Archery/Primitive/Crossbow Weapon, Freshwater Fishing, and WMA User Permit. Does not include Saltwater Fishing, Federal Duck Stamp, or State Waterfowl Stamp.ResidentA voluntary license for hunters aged 65 and older.freshwaterVoluntary annual licence for residents aged 65 and older.$2.30
Resident Exempt Under 16 Licence (voluntary)Voluntary. Includes All Game Hunting, Archery/Primitive/Crossbow Weapon, Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing, and WMA User Permit. Anglers under 16 are not required to hold any fishing licence, so this is never a required purchase.ResidentA voluntary license for hunters under 16 years of age.freshwater and saltwaterValid one year from license start date.$2.30
Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing LicenceNon-residentAll non-resident anglers, except minors under the age of sixteen (16), are required to obtain a fishing license.freshwaterAnnual licence; MDWFP annual licences are valid one year from the licence start date.$68
Non-Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing LicenceNon-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.freshwaterThree-day freshwater fishing privilege.$30
Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing LicenceNon-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.freshwaterOne-day freshwater fishing privilege.$10
Non-Resident Saltwater Fishing LicenceNot the correct licence for Louisiana residents, who must buy the Non-Resident LA Saltwater Fishing privilege instead. Saltwater licence required south of U.S. Highway 90.Non-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.saltwaterAll recreational fishing licences expire one year from the date of purchase (MDMR).$30
Non-Resident 3-Day Saltwater Fishing LicenceNon-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.saltwaterThree-day saltwater fishing privilege.$15
Non-Resident Louisiana Saltwater Fishing LicenceFor Louisiana residents. Louisiana residents must purchase both the Non-Resident Freshwater privilege and the Non-Resident LA Saltwater Fishing privilege to fish in the marine waters of Mississippi.Non-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.saltwaterAll recreational fishing licences expire one year from the date of purchase (MDMR).$60
Non-Resident Avid Angler PackageIncludes NR Freshwater Fishing and NR Saltwater Fishing. Not valid for Louisiana residents, who must buy the NR LA Avid Angler Package ($120.00) instead.Non-residentMinors under 16 do not need a licence.freshwater and saltwaterAnnual package covering non-resident freshwater and saltwater fishing.$90
Non-Resident Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing LicenceIncludes Deer Permit, Freshwater Fishing, and Archery/Primitive/Crossbow Weapon. Does not include Saltwater Fishing, WMA User Permit, Turkey Stamp, or Waterfowl Stamp. Must apply through MDWFP.Non-residentfreshwaterExpires at midnight after 14 consecutive days from start date.$32

Freshwater and saltwater

Mississippi licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. Check which waters your license covers before you fish — a freshwater license does not cover saltwater unless the option explicitly says it does.

State license vs federal registry. NOAA Fisheries lists Mississippi among the states with an exempted saltwater angler licensing programme, so anglers holding a valid Mississippi saltwater fishing licence do not register separately with the federal National Saltwater Angler Registry.

Stamps, endorsements and report cards

  • Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) — Required to possess any species of snapper, amberjack, grouper, hind, triggerfish or cobia in Mississippi waters. Not needed if you do not fish for those species, or if you fish for them only as a paying client on a charter boat (the charter captain must hold a ROLP). · No charge · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp
  • Tails n' Scales Red Snapper Trip Authorization — Fishing for red snapper in Mississippi waters — at least one angler on the fishing vessel must obtain a valid Tails n' Scales trip authorization number in addition to a valid saltwater fishing licence. · Not published · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp

Exemptions worth knowing

  • Residents who are visually impaired, paraplegic, a multiple-amputee, adjudged totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, or totally service-connected disabled by the Veterans Administration are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing licence. Still required: Must have proof of age, residency, disability status or other physical impairment in possession while engaged in hunting and fishing activities. All exempt licences previously issued for disabilities are null and void.
  • Anglers who fish for snapper, amberjack, grouper, hind, triggerfish or cobia only as a client on a charter boat do not need their own Recreational Offshore Landing Permit; the charter captain must hold a valid ROLP. Still required: This waives only the ROLP. A valid Mississippi recreational saltwater fishing licence is still required, and red snapper trips still need a Tails n' Scales trip authorization number.
  • On the 2026 Free Fishing Days — June 6 and 7, and July 4 — Mississippi residents may sport fish without a licence. Still required: On June 6 and 7, 2026 no state fishing lake or state park lake permit is required either; on July 4, 2026 fishing permits ARE still required at state fishing lakes and state park lakes.

Free fishing days

  • Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents) — June 6, 2026. Residents may sport fish without a licence; fishing permits are also not required at state fishing lakes and state park lakes.
  • Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents) — June 7, 2026. Residents may sport fish without a licence; fishing permits are also not required at state fishing lakes and state park lakes.
  • Free Fishing Day (Mississippi residents) — July 4, 2026. Residents can fish without a licence on any of Mississippi's public waters, but fishing permits are required at state fishing lakes and state park lakes on July 4.

Where this comes from

Primary source
Hunting & Fishing License Prices — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Retrieved
July 26, 2026
Reviewed
July 30, 2026
Also consulted

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 Mississippi license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.

Across all states