North Dakota fishing license
North Dakota requires a recreational fishing license from age 16. The state licenses freshwater fishing. The current license year is 2026-2027 (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027).
Source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department · Reviewed July 30, 2026
Your likely official license
Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in North Dakota, the official match is 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident).
- 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)$48 · Three-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year.
What it covers
- 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident) — freshwater. Licence fee published in the North Dakota Game and Fish nonresident licence fee table; the $5 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate is listed separately and is required in addition.Limits on this license: A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
Required add-ons
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (Nonresident) — Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota. Only one need be purchased per year per licensee. Listed at $5 alongside every nonresident fishing licence. · $5
You may also need
North Dakota Game and Fish 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.
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (Resident) — Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota. Only one need be purchased per year per licensee. Listed at $2 alongside every resident fishing licence. · $2
Why this answer
- You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
- 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident) covers the full trip: Three-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year.
- It requires Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (Nonresident) for the fishing you described.
Other options you are eligible for
- 10 Day Fishing License (Nonresident) — $63 for this trip · Ten-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year.A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Individual Season Fishing License (Nonresident, ages 16 and older) — $73 for this trip · Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
Reduced-fee and free licenses, if you qualify (1, from $113)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department 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.
- Married Couple Season Fishing License (Nonresident) — $113 · Covers a married couple. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
Exceptions that may change it
- North Dakota has free fishing days coming up on December 26, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend (December)) and December 27, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend (December)); June 6, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend (June)) and June 7, 2026 (Free Fishing Weekend (June)) have already passed. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
- 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident): A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license.
- Darkhouse spearfishing requires a separate registration with North Dakota Game and Fish, which is issued free of charge, in addition to a fishing licence.
- 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 North Dakota 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
- Resident Licenses and Requirements | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website) — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- 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
3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)
Published total: $53
Resident for the season
Adult North Dakota resident · freshwater · all year
Fishing License (Resident, ages 16 and older)
Published total: $29
Age and residency rules
Who counts as a resident. A person who has actually lived in, or maintained his or her legal residence, in North Dakota for the past six months, may qualify for resident licenses, providing he or she does not continue to claim residency in another state. Applicants 18 and older must provide a valid North Dakota driver's license or nondriver photo identification number.
Age-based rules
- Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year, except that paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers.
- Nonresidents aged 15 and younger do not need a fishing license if accompanied by a licensed adult, except that paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers. Still required: The exemption applies only while the young angler is accompanied by an adult who holds a valid fishing licence; a paddlefish tag ($35 nonresident) is still required to snag paddlefish.
License options
| License | Who | Water | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing License (Resident, ages 16 and older)(external, opens the official state website)A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | ResidentResidents and nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses; residents younger than 16 may fish without one. | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $27 |
| Married Couple Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)Covers a married couple. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Resident | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $42 |
| Senior Citizen Fishing License (Resident, 65 or older)(external, opens the official state website)North Dakota residents only. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | ResidentAvailable to North Dakota residents 65 or older. | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $10 |
| Totally or Permanently Disabled Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)North Dakota residents only; proof of disability required. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | ResidentAvailable to residents who are totally or permanently disabled; proof of disability required. | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $10 |
| Fishing License for Veteran with 50 Percent Service-Related Disability (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)North Dakota residents only. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | ResidentAvailable to a resident veteran with a 50 percent service-related disability. | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $10 |
| Combination License (Resident, ages 16 and older)(external, opens the official state website)Includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Resident | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $62 |
| Paddlefish Tag (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)A regular fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | ResidentPaddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers, including anglers aged 15 and younger. | freshwater | Valid within the fishing year, April 1 through March 31. | $15 |
| Individual Season Fishing License (Nonresident, ages 16 and older)(external, opens the official state website)A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Non-residentNonresidents age 16 and older need a fishing license. | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $68 |
| Married Couple Season Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)Covers a married couple. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Non-resident | freshwater | Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. | $108 |
| 3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Non-resident | freshwater | Three-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year. | $48 |
| 10 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Non-resident | freshwater | Ten-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year. | $58 |
| Paddlefish Tag (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)A fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee. | Non-residentPaddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers, including anglers aged 15 and younger. | freshwater | Valid within the fishing year, April 1 through March 31. | $35 |
Fishing License (Resident, ages 16 and older)(external, opens the official state website)
A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident · Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses; residents younger than 16 may fish without one.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $27
Married Couple Fishing License (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
Covers a married couple. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $42
Senior Citizen Fishing License (Resident, 65 or older)(external, opens the official state website)
North Dakota residents only. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident · Available to North Dakota residents 65 or older.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $10
North Dakota residents only; proof of disability required. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident · Available to residents who are totally or permanently disabled; proof of disability required.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $10
North Dakota residents only. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident · Available to a resident veteran with a 50 percent service-related disability.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $10
Combination License (Resident, ages 16 and older)(external, opens the official state website)
Includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $62
Paddlefish Tag (Resident)(external, opens the official state website)
A regular fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($2) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Resident · Paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers, including anglers aged 15 and younger.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid within the fishing year, April 1 through March 31.
- Price
- $15
A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Non-resident · Nonresidents age 16 and older need a fishing license.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $68
Married Couple Season Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
Covers a married couple. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
- Price
- $108
3 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Three-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year.
- Price
- $48
10 Day Fishing License (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Non-resident
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Ten-day nonresident fishing licence within the April 1 - March 31 fishing year.
- Price
- $58
Paddlefish Tag (Nonresident)(external, opens the official state website)
A fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate ($5) is required in addition; only one certificate need be purchased per year per licensee.
- Who
- Non-resident · Paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers, including anglers aged 15 and younger.
- Water
- freshwater
- Valid for
- Valid within the fishing year, April 1 through March 31.
- Price
- $35
Stamps, endorsements and report cards
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (Resident) — Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota. Only one need be purchased per year per licensee. Listed at $2 alongside every resident fishing licence. · $2
- Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate (Nonresident) — Required to hunt or fish in North Dakota. Only one need be purchased per year per licensee. Listed at $5 alongside every nonresident fishing licence. · $5
Exemptions worth knowing
- North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Still required: North Dakota Game and Fish states the exemption applies "upon presentation of valid leave papers and a valid North Dakota operator's license" — carry both while fishing.
- Residents of North Dakota may fish, except for paddlefish, without a resident fishing license on four designated days each year. All residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license on those days.
- Darkhouse spearfishing requires a separate registration with North Dakota Game and Fish, which is issued free of charge, in addition to a fishing licence. Still required: Register for darkhouse spearfishing with North Dakota Game and Fish before spearing; the registration costs nothing but is mandatory, and a fishing licence is still required.
Free fishing days
- Free Fishing Weekend (June) — June 6, 2026. "All residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year." Paddlefish are excluded from the free-fishing exemption.
- Free Fishing Weekend (June) — June 7, 2026. Second day of the June free fishing weekend.
- Free Fishing Weekend (December) — December 26, 2026. Listed in the 2026-28 fishing proclamation as a free fishing date for residents; paddlefish are excluded.
- Free Fishing Weekend (December) — December 27, 2026. Second day of the December free fishing weekend.
Where this comes from
- Primary source
- Resident Licenses and Requirements | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website) — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
- Retrieved
- July 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- July 30, 2026
- Also consulted
- Nonresident Licenses and Requirements | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website)
- North Dakota Residency Eligibility, Required Licenses and Fees | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website)
- North Dakota Fishing License | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website)
- 2026-28 Fishing Regulations | North Dakota Game and Fish(external, opens the official state website)
- Free Fishing Weekend | North Dakota Game and Fish(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 North Dakota license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.