New Hampshire Fishing License: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
Anglers age 16 or older generally need a New Hampshire Fishing License; children younger than 16 fish without one. Annual freshwater licenses cost $45 for residents or $63 for nonresidents, while recreational saltwater fishing requires a separate $11 license for either residency.
Last verified 19 Sep 2026 against N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 214:1 and 214:2.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| License required? | Yes A person age 16 or older generally needs the applicable New Hampshire license before fishing. Freshwater and recreational saltwater are separate license products; the youth and other statutory exceptions are listed below. | N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 214:1 and 214:2 | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Resident annual license | USD 45.00 The resident annual freshwater fishing license costs $45. That displayed price already includes the $1 agent fee and $1 Fisheries Habitat Fee. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Nonresident annual license | USD 63.00 The nonresident annual freshwater fishing license costs $63. That displayed price already includes the $1 agent fee and $1 Fisheries Habitat Fee. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Senior resident annual license | USD 7.00 A New Hampshire resident age 68 or older who was born January 1, 1948 or later pays $7 for the senior freshwater fishing license and must renew it annually. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:7-a; N.H. Admin. R. Fis 1110.07(c) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Resident one-day license | USD 10.00 The resident one-day freshwater fishing license costs $10. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Nonresident short-term licenses | USD 15.00 Nonresident freshwater licenses cost $15 for one day, $28 for three consecutive days, or $35 for seven consecutive days. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Anglers younger than 16 | Yes Residents and nonresidents younger than 16 may fish without a New Hampshire fishing license. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:2(I) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Historic birth-date exemption | Free A New Hampshire resident born December 31, 1947 or earlier may apply for a free permanent Special Milestone Fishing license. The privilege is not automatic; the resident must submit the Department's application and identification. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:7-a(II) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Disabled-veteran reduced license | half-price A qualifying resident veteran with an 80%–99% service-connected disability may receive a lifetime fishing license at 50% of the standard lifetime-license cost after applying and documenting eligibility. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:13(II) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Disabled-veteran license | USD 10.00 A resident veteran discharged other than dishonorably who is totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected disability may apply for a perpetual license. The application carries a one-time $10 administrative fee; this is not an automatic no-cost exemption. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:13(I) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Free Fishing Days | 2 New Hampshire's 2026 Free Fishing Days were January 17 and June 6. Residents and nonresidents could fish freshwater or saltwater without a license, but tournament participants still needed licenses and all other fishing regulations remained in effect. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:1-e; NH Fish and Game 2026 Free Fishing Days | 19 Sep 2026 |
| License year | calendar-year Annual New Hampshire fishing licenses follow the calendar year rather than running for 365 days from purchase. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Active-duty military waiver | Free A New Hampshire resident on regular active duty and permanently stationed outside the state may apply for a free special fishing license for use during leave or furlough. It is not a blanket exemption for every active-duty service member. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:3(I) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Fee structure | included-plus-online-fee New Hampshire's listed fishing-license prices already include a $1 agent fee and $1 Fisheries Habitat Fee. An online purchase adds a separate $2.75 transaction fee for each license form. | N.H. Admin. R. Fis 1110.01–.02; RSA 214-A:2(VI-a) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Ice fishing | included The freshwater fishing license covers ice fishing; New Hampshire does not sell a separate recreational ice-fishing license. Current seasons, methods, and water-specific rules still apply. | NH Fish and Game | 19 Sep 2026 |
| No trout stamp | Yes New Hampshire does not require a separate recreational trout stamp. The freshwater fishing license covers all freshwater fish, subject to current seasons, limits, methods, and water-specific regulations. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:9(II) | 19 Sep 2026 |
| Saltwater license | USD 11.00 Recreational saltwater fishing requires a separate $11 license for residents and nonresidents age 16 or older. It is a paid state license, not a free registration. | N.H. Admin. R. Fis 1110.09(m)–(n) | 19 Sep 2026 |
Which New Hampshire senior fishing license applies to me?
New Hampshire has two senior paths separated by a birth-date cutoff. A resident age 68 or older who was born January 1, 1948 or later pays $7 for a senior freshwater license and renews it annually. A resident born December 31, 1947 or earlier can apply for a free permanent Special Milestone Fishing license. The permanent privilege is not automatic; Fish and Game requires the application and identification. Treating every resident over 68 as either automatically free or subject to annual renewal misses half the rule. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:7-a; NH Fish and Game milestone application)
Is New Hampshire saltwater fishing registration free?
No. Recreational saltwater fishing requires an $11 state license for residents and nonresidents age 16 or older. That is a paid license, not free annual registration. Freshwater is separate: annual licenses cost $45 resident or $63 nonresident, with visitor options at $15 for one day, $28 for three consecutive days, and $35 for seven consecutive days. Children younger than 16 need neither license. (N.H. Admin. R. Fis 1110; N.H. Rev. Stat. § 214:2)
The displayed prices already include the $1 agent fee and $1 Fisheries Habitat Fee. Buying online adds a separate $2.75 transaction fee per license form, so the checkout total will be higher than the fee-table price. (NH Fish and Game license fee schedule)
Do I need a trout stamp or an ice-fishing license?
No. A New Hampshire freshwater license covers trout and ice fishing without a separate trout stamp or ice-fishing product. You still need to follow the season, method, limit, and water-specific rules for where you fish. New Hampshire also held two Free Fishing Days in 2026—January 17 and June 6—for freshwater and saltwater. Residents and visitors could participate, but tournament anglers still needed licenses and all other regulations remained in force. (N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 214:1-e, 214:9; NH Fish and Game 2026 Free Fishing Days)
Are veterans and active-duty residents automatically exempt?
No. New Hampshire has three narrower programs. A resident veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability may apply for a perpetual license and pay a one-time $10 administrative fee. A qualifying resident veteran with an 80%–99% service-connected disability may apply for a lifetime license at half price. Separately, a New Hampshire resident on active duty and stationed outside the state may apply for a free license usable while on leave or furlough. Veteran status or active-duty status alone does not create a blanket fishing-license exemption. (N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 214:3, 214:13)
Where to buy the license
- NH Fish and Game license portal Official online license sales portal; the $2.75 online transaction fee applies per license form.
- NH Fish and Game licensing information Official license applications, eligibility information, and purchase options.
What if you're fishing across a state line?
Check the rules for the neighbouring state where you'll fish:
We haven't covered Massachusetts or Maine yet — check with those states directly.