New Hampshire fishing license
New Hampshire requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater and saltwater fishing. The current license year is 2026 (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026).
Source: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in New Hampshire, the official match is 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident).
- 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)$15 · Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase.
What it covers
- 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident) — freshwater. Row published verbatim as "1-day Freshwater Fishing: Resident: $10.00, Non Resident: $15.00" on the NH Fish and Game licence price list (wildlife.nh.gov, re-checked 2026-07-30); non-resident figure $15.00, and a $2.00 transaction fee is charged per licence ($2.75 online).
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
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.
- Wildlife Habitat Fee — Paid once annually by anyone purchasing a Combination Hunting & Fishing License, Hunting License, Archery License, Small Game License or 3-Day Small Game License. It is not charged on a fishing-only licence. Exceptions: minors, permanent licence holders and lifetime licence holders. · $2.50
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident) covers the full trip: Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase.
Other options you are eligible for
- 3-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident) — $28 for this trip · Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive.Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents.
- 7-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident) — $35 for this trip · Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive.Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents.
- Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident) — $63 for this trip · Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).Allows the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state. Does not cover coastal or estuarine (saltwater) fishing.
- Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Non-Resident) — $153.50 for this trip · Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).Includes the privileges in Hunting and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges.
Exceptions that may change it
- New Hampshire publishes free fishing days (New Hampshire Free Fishing Day (first Saturday in June)). No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- Special Resident Permanent Milestone Licenses are free to residents of New Hampshire who were born in or before 1947. Licence types available include Freshwater Fishing and Combination Hunting & Fishing.
- There is a separate licence for charter and party boats. An angler is exempt from holding a NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License as long as they are fishing on a licensed charter or party boat.
- Maine and Massachusetts residents who hold a recreational saltwater licence from their own state are exempt from the NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License. New Hampshire residents may not fish New Hampshire waters on a Massachusetts or Maine saltwater licence, registry or endorsement.
- Holders of a NH Lifetime Fishing License purchased before 2011 may obtain a free annual permit limited to fishing for saltwater smelt, American shad, trout and salmon in coastal and estuarine waters.
- 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 New Hampshire 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
- License Prices | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game(external, opens the official state website) — New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Validity
- 2026 · January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
- 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
1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)
Published total: $15
Resident for the season
Adult New Hampshire resident · freshwater · all year
Freshwater Fishing (Resident)
Published total: $45
Visiting for a saltwater day
Adult visiting from another state · saltwater · one day
Recreational Saltwater Fishing License
Published total: $11
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. A New Hampshire resident is someone who holds a valid NH Driver's license or Non Driver Photo Identification issued by the State of NH Division of Motor Vehicles and does not claim a residence in any other state for any purpose.
Age-based rules
- A general fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age. Children under 16, resident or nonresident, are not required to purchase a NH fishing license — this covers saltwater as well as freshwater.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state. Does not cover coastal or estuarine (saltwater) fishing. | ResidentA general fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age. | freshwater | Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $45 |
| Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Allows the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state. Does not cover coastal or estuarine (saltwater) fishing. | Non-residentA general fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age. | freshwater | Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $63 |
| 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)One-day licences are also available for NH residents. | Resident | freshwater | Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase. | $10 |
| 1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website) | Non-resident | freshwater | Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase. | $15 |
| 3-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents. | Non-resident | freshwater | Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive. | $28 |
| 7-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents. | Non-resident | freshwater | Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive. | $35 |
| Senior Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)New Hampshire residents only. Does not include saltwater privileges; a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License must still be purchased. | ResidentDiscounted licences are available for resident seniors born in 1948 or later who have reached age 68. Residents born in or before 1947 instead qualify for a free permanent Milestone licence. | freshwater | Must be purchased annually; expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $7 |
| Special Resident Permanent Milestone License — Freshwater Fishing(external, opens the official state website)Must be obtained at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord or regional offices 1 (Lancaster), 2 (New Hampton), 4 (Keene) or at limited license agents. Saltwater Recreational Fishing is not included and must still be purchased annually. | ResidentResidents of New Hampshire who were born in or before 1947. Encoded as born_on_or_before 1947-12-31; the engine grants it only at ages that guarantee the birth date. | freshwater | Permanent licence; not valid if the license holder moves out of state. | No charge |
| Recreational Saltwater Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)Valid in New Hampshire coastal and estuarine waters and also in all Massachusetts and Maine coastal and estuarine waters. Does not cover freshwater above the tidal dividing line. | Resident or visitorAll persons age 16 and older recreationally fishing in coastal and estuarine waters of the state must purchase the licence; the price is the same for residents and non-residents and there is no senior discount. | saltwater | Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $11 |
| Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Includes the privileges in Hunting and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges. | Resident | freshwater | Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $56 |
| Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Includes the privileges in Hunting and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges. | Non-resident | freshwater | Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $151 |
| Senior Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)New Hampshire residents only. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges. | ResidentResident seniors born in 1948 or later who have reached age 68. | freshwater | Must be purchased annually; expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36). | $7 |
Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Allows the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state. Does not cover coastal or estuarine (saltwater) fishing.
- Who
- Resident · A general fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $45
Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Allows the taking of all species in the freshwaters of the state. Does not cover coastal or estuarine (saltwater) fishing.
- Who
- Non-resident · A general fishing license is not required for minors under 16 years of age.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $63
1-day Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
One-day licences are also available for NH residents.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase.
- Price
- $10
1-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Date of intended use is requested at the time of purchase.
- Price
- $15
3-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive.
- Price
- $28
7-day Freshwater Fishing (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Temporary 1-, 3- and 7-day fishing licences are available to non-residents.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Dates for intended use are requested at the time of purchase and must be consecutive.
- Price
- $35
Senior Freshwater Fishing (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
New Hampshire residents only. Does not include saltwater privileges; a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License must still be purchased.
- Who
- Resident · Discounted licences are available for resident seniors born in 1948 or later who have reached age 68. Residents born in or before 1947 instead qualify for a free permanent Milestone licence.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Must be purchased annually; expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $7
Must be obtained at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord or regional offices 1 (Lancaster), 2 (New Hampton), 4 (Keene) or at limited license agents. Saltwater Recreational Fishing is not included and must still be purchased annually.
- Who
- Resident · Residents of New Hampshire who were born in or before 1947. Encoded as born_on_or_before 1947-12-31; the engine grants it only at ages that guarantee the birth date.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Permanent licence; not valid if the license holder moves out of state.
- Price
- No charge
Recreational Saltwater Fishing License(external, opens the official state website)
Valid in New Hampshire coastal and estuarine waters and also in all Massachusetts and Maine coastal and estuarine waters. Does not cover freshwater above the tidal dividing line.
- Who
- Resident or visitor · All persons age 16 and older recreationally fishing in coastal and estuarine waters of the state must purchase the licence; the price is the same for residents and non-residents and there is no senior discount.
- Water
- saltwater
- Valid for
- Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $11
Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Includes the privileges in Hunting and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $56
Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Non-Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Includes the privileges in Hunting and Freshwater Fishing. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $151
Senior Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Combination (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
New Hampshire residents only. Does not include saltwater fishing privileges.
- Who
- Resident · Resident seniors born in 1948 or later who have reached age 68.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Must be purchased annually; expires on December 31 next following issuance (RSA 214:36).
- Price
- $7
Freshwater and saltwater
New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire established a recreational saltwater fishing license effective January 1, 2011 specifically so its anglers would be exempt from the National Saltwater Angler Registry. NH Fish and Game states that to fish in federal waters an angler needs a valid state saltwater fishing licence or a federal permit, and NOAA Fisheries lists New Hampshire among the exempted states.
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Wildlife Habitat Fee — Paid once annually by anyone purchasing a Combination Hunting & Fishing License, Hunting License, Archery License, Small Game License or 3-Day Small Game License. It is not charged on a fishing-only licence. Exceptions: minors, permanent licence holders and lifetime licence holders. · $2.50
Exemptions worth knowing
- Special Resident Permanent Milestone Licenses are free to residents of New Hampshire who were born in or before 1947. Licence types available include Freshwater Fishing and Combination Hunting & Fishing. Still required: The licence is issued at no charge but must be obtained in person at Fish and Game headquarters in Concord, at regional offices 1 (Lancaster), 2 (New Hampton) or 4 (Keene), or at limited license agents. It is not valid if the holder moves out of state, and it does not cover saltwater — the Recreational Saltwater Fishing License must still be purchased annually.
- There is a separate licence for charter and party boats. An angler is exempt from holding a NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License as long as they are fishing on a licensed charter or party boat.
- Maine and Massachusetts residents who hold a recreational saltwater licence from their own state are exempt from the NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License. New Hampshire residents may not fish New Hampshire waters on a Massachusetts or Maine saltwater licence, registry or endorsement. Still required: The angler must hold and carry a current Maine or Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing licence; the exemption does not extend to New Hampshire residents.
- Holders of a NH Lifetime Fishing License purchased before 2011 may obtain a free annual permit limited to fishing for saltwater smelt, American shad, trout and salmon in coastal and estuarine waters. Still required: The permit is issued at no charge but must be applied for each year at the NH Fish and Game Department office in Concord. Fishing for any species other than saltwater smelt, American shad, trout and salmon requires a paid NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License.
- On New Hampshire's designated Free Fishing Day (the first Saturday in June), both residents and nonresidents can fish inland, coastal or estuarine waters in New Hampshire without a fishing license.
Free fishing days
- New Hampshire Free Fishing Day (first Saturday in June). NH Fish and Game publishes this as a recurring date rather than a specific calendar date: "New Hampshire's designated Free Fishing Day (the first Saturday in June)". Season dates, bag limits and all other fishing regulations must be followed.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- License Prices | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game(external, opens the official state website) — New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- NH License Requirements | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game(external, opens the official state website)
- Senior and Milestone Licenses | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game(external, opens the official state website)
- Saltwater Fishing FAQs | State of New Hampshire Fish and Game(external, opens the official state website)
- RSA Chapter 214 — Licenses (RSA 214:36, expiration of licenses)(external, opens the official state website)
- National Saltwater Angler Registry(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 New Hampshire license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.