Minnesota Fishing License: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
Minnesota residents ages 16–89 and nonresidents age 16 or older generally need a fishing license. An adult resident annual license costs $25 and a nonresident annual costs $51; residents under 16 or age 90 and older are exempt, while nonresident youth rules depend on the accompanying adult or license product.
Last verified 29 Aug 2026 against Minnesota DNR — 2026 Fishing Regulations.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| License required? | Yes Minnesota residents ages 16–89 generally need a fishing license. Nonresidents age 16 or older generally need one, while younger visitors follow the parent, family-license, or youth-license rules listed below. | Minnesota DNR — 2026 Fishing Regulations | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident annual license | USD 25.00 The resident adult annual angling license costs $25 for ages 18–89. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident annual license | USD 51.00 The nonresident adult annual angling license costs $51. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident married-couple annual license | USD 40.00 The resident married-couple annual license costs $40 and lets each spouse take an individual limit. Required stamps are not included. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident 24-hour license | USD 12.00 A resident 24-hour angling license costs $12. Three separate 24-hour licenses cost $36, which is $11 more than the $25 resident annual license. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident short-term licenses | USD 14.00 Nonresident individual licenses cost $14 for 24 consecutive hours, $36 for 72 consecutive hours, or $43 for seven consecutive days. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident family annual license | USD 68.00 The $68 nonresident family annual license covers one or both parents and dependent children younger than 16, with an individual limit for each. Required stamps are not included. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident married-couple 14-day license | USD 54.00 A nonresident married couple may buy a consecutive 14-day license for $54. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident youth license | USD 5.00 The $5 nonresident youth license is the annual product for ages 16–17. A younger nonresident may also buy it to keep an individual limit rather than sharing the limit of a parent or guardian with an individual license. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Anglers younger than 16 | conditional A resident younger than 16 needs no license and keeps an individual possession limit. A nonresident younger than 16 may fish under a licensed parent or guardian, but the catch counts toward that adult's limit unless the youth is covered by a family license or buys the $5 youth license. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Residents age 90 or older | Yes A Minnesota resident age 90 or older does not need a fishing license. The exemption is automatic; there is no no-cost license to request first. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Trout/salmon stamp | USD 10.00 The $10 trout/salmon stamp applies to resident and nonresident anglers ages 18–64 who fish designated trout waters or keep trout or salmon. Youth licenses and the 24- and 72-hour licenses are exempt. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Sturgeon endorsement | USD 5.00 A $5 sturgeon endorsement is required to harvest and possess a lake sturgeon. An angling license is also required unless an exemption applies. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Dark-house spearing license | USD 6.00 The dark-house spearing license costs $6 for a resident or $17 for a nonresident. An angling license is also required unless the angler is exempt. This spearing license is separate from an ice-shelter license. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Ice-shelter license | conditional A separate shelter license may be required even for a portable shelter if it is left unattended from midnight until one hour before sunrise or the user is more than 200 feet away. An attended portable shelter may not need that license. Check the current DNR shelter rules before going onto the ice. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| License year | 12 months Minnesota's fishing-license year starts March 1 and ends on the last day of the following February, either February 28 or 29. | DNR | 29 Aug 2026 |
Do Minnesota residents age 90 or older need to request a free license?
No. A Minnesota resident age 90 or older does not need a fishing license, and the exemption is automatic. There is no no-cost license to request before fishing. Residents younger than 16 have the same no-license status and may keep their own possession limit. (Minnesota DNR 2026 Fishing Regulations)
The rule differs for a visiting child. A nonresident younger than 16 may fish under a licensed parent or guardian, but the child’s catch counts toward that adult’s limit. A nonresident family license gives the child a separate limit, as does the $5 nonresident youth license. The youth product is standard for ages 16–17 but is also available to a younger visitor who wants an individual limit.
Should a resident buy daily licenses or the annual license?
The $25 resident annual license is the better buy once you would otherwise need three separate 24-hour licenses. Each 24-hour license costs $12, so three cost $36—$11 more than the annual product. If you expect to fish on more than two separate days, just buy the annual license. A resident married couple can instead pay $40 for an annual license that gives each spouse an individual limit. (Minnesota DNR Licensing)
The annual license runs from March 1 through the last day of the following February. It is not a rolling year from the purchase date.
Who needs the trout and salmon stamp?
The $10 trout/salmon stamp applies to resident and nonresident anglers ages 18–64 who fish designated trout waters or keep trout or salmon. It is not an across-the-board add-on: youth licenses and the 24- and 72-hour products are exempt. A separate $5 endorsement is required to harvest and possess a lake sturgeon, even when the angler otherwise qualifies for a license exemption. (Minnesota DNR Licensing)
What should a visitor compare before buying?
The nonresident annual license costs $51. Shorter individual products cost $14 for 24 hours, $36 for 72 hours, and $43 for seven days. A nonresident family annual costs $68, while the married-couple 14-day license costs $54. Compare both duration and who receives an individual possession limit.
Are dark-house spearing and shelter licenses the same thing?
No. A dark-house spearing license costs $6 for a resident and $17 for a nonresident, and an angling license is also required unless an exemption applies. That is separate from the license for the shelter itself.
Minnesota’s shelter rule turns on use, not simply whether the shelter is portable. A license may be required if a shelter is left unattended from midnight until one hour before sunrise or if you are more than 200 feet away. An attended portable shelter may not need one. Check the current DNR shelter rules before assuming your setup is exempt. (Minnesota DNR Licensing)
Where to buy the license
- Minnesota DNR Licensing Minnesota's official online license catalog and purchase portal.
- Minnesota DNR fishing licenses Current license information and links to DNR regulations.
What if you're fishing across a state line?
Check the rules for the neighbouring state where you'll fish: