Utah Fishing License: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
Anyone age 12 or older generally needs a Utah Fishing License. Current annual prices are $40 for resident adults ages 18–64 and $120 for nonresident adults; youth and resident-senior tiers cost less. Licenses run 365 days from purchase, and a valid license includes two poles without another permit or fee.
Last verified 29 Aug 2026 against Utah Code § 23A-4-601; Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-3.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| License required? | Yes Anyone age 12 or older generally must buy a Utah fishing or combination license before fishing. The under-12 and Free Fishing Day exceptions are listed separately. | Utah Code § 23A-4-601; Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-3 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident annual license | USD 40.00 The resident annual license costs $5 for ages 12–13, $16 for ages 14–17, $40 for ages 18–64, and $31 for ages 65 or older. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident annual license | USD 120.00 The nonresident annual license costs $18 for ages 12–13, $44 for ages 14–17, and $120 for anyone age 18 or older. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident short-term licenses | USD 44.00 A nonresident short-term license costs $44 for three days or $91 for seven days. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Disabled-veteran license | USD 12.00 A Utah resident with a service-connected disability rating of at least 20% may buy the annual fishing license for $12. Initial application and disability verification are required; after approval, the veteran may renew or repurchase at the discounted rate without reapplying each year. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Free Fishing Day | Yes Utah's 2026 Free Fishing Day was Saturday, June 6. No fishing license was required that day, but the state's other fishing laws and rules still applied. | Utah Code § 23A-4-201; Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-3 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| License year | 365 days A standard Utah fishing license is valid for 365 days from its purchase date. It does not expire at the end of the calendar year. | Utah Admin. Rule R657-45-3 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Multi-year licenses and permits | USD 39.00 Multi-year fishing licenses are available for up to five years. The annualized rate is $39 for residents ages 18–64, $31 for residents age 65 or older, and $119 for nonresidents age 18 or older. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Flaming gorge other visitors | both-nonresident-licenses An angler who is a resident of neither Utah nor Wyoming needs both states' nonresident licenses to fish the full Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The reciprocal products are limited to Utah and Wyoming residents. | Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-5; 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Flaming gorge utah resident | USD 30.00 A Utah resident with a valid Utah resident fishing license may buy Wyoming's $30 Flaming Gorge reciprocal stamp to fish the Wyoming portion of the reservoir. It does not provide general Wyoming fishing access. | Wyoming Game & Fish Commission Regulations, ch. 46 § 30 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Flaming gorge wyoming resident | USD 59.00 A Wyoming resident with a valid Wyoming resident fishing license may buy Utah's $59 Flaming Gorge reciprocal permit to fish the Utah portion of the reservoir. Utah's reciprocal permit is valid for 365 days. | Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-5(4)(b) | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident fee increase | 2025 Utah's higher nonresident prices began in 2025 and covered fishing licenses, reciprocal permits, and setline permits. Older articles may therefore show lower nonresident prices than DWR's current table. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| One day license | No Utah DWR's current fee table lists no one-day fishing license for either residents or nonresidents. The three-day license is the shortest product. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Resident short term | USD 19.00 A resident short-term license costs $19 for three days or $30 for seven days. | DWR | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Setline permit | USD 22.00 A setline permit costs $22 for a resident or $48 for a nonresident. It is valid for 365 days and may be used only with an unexpired Utah fishing or combination license and on waters where setlines are allowed. | Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-8 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Two pole allowance | included A valid Utah fishing or combination license automatically allows up to two poles on waters open to fishing. No additional fee or separate second-pole permit is required, and using two poles does not increase the daily or possession limit. | Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-7 | 29 Aug 2026 |
| Under 12 exemption | Yes A child younger than 12 may fish without a license or separate youth permit, use two poles, use a setline, and take a full independent daily limit. The child's catch does not count against an accompanying adult's limit. | Utah Code § 23A-4-601; Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-3; 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook | 29 Aug 2026 |
Does a Utah fishing license expire at the end of the year?
No. A standard Utah fishing license runs for 365 days from the purchase date, so buying late in the year does not shorten the license. That differs from states with a fixed August or December expiration. A resident adult age 18–64 pays $40, while a nonresident adult pays $120. The resident youth tiers are $5 for ages 12–13 and $16 for ages 14–17; a resident age 65 or older pays $31. (Utah DWR Fees; Utah Admin. Rule R657-45-3)
Why are older nonresident prices so much lower?
Utah DWR says its nonresident fee increases began in 2025 and affected licenses, reciprocal permits, and setline permits. That is why older pages may still quote $85 or $90 for a nonresident annual license instead of the current $120. The present youth rates are $18 for ages 12–13 and $44 for ages 14–17. Short-term nonresident licenses cost $44 for three days or $91 for seven days. Utah currently lists no one-day product; three days is the shortest option. (2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook; Utah DWR Fees)
How does the Flaming Gorge reciprocal permit work?
The direction matters. A Utah resident with a valid Utah resident fishing license pays Wyoming $30 for a reciprocal stamp that adds the Wyoming portion of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. A Wyoming resident with a valid Wyoming resident license pays Utah $59 for the reverse privilege. Neither product is general access to the issuing state’s other waters. If you live in neither Utah nor Wyoming, the reciprocal products are unavailable; fishing the full reservoir requires both states’ nonresident licenses. (Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-5; Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulations ch. 46 § 30)
Do I need to pay extra to fish with two poles?
No. A valid Utah fishing or combination license automatically allows up to two poles on waters open to fishing. There is no separate second-pole permit and no extra fee, and the second pole does not create another daily or possession limit. A setline is different: the permit costs $22 for a resident or $48 for a nonresident, requires a current base license, and is limited to waters where setlines are allowed. (Utah Admin. Rules R657-13-7 and R657-13-8)
What may a child younger than 12 do without a license?
A child younger than 12 may fish without a license or free youth permit, use two poles, use a setline, and take a full independent daily limit. The catch does not count against an accompanying adult’s limit. Starting at age 12, the child needs the appropriate license: $5 resident or $18 nonresident for ages 12–13. (2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook)
Utah also offers a $12 resident license to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 20%. The initial purchase requires an application and disability verification; once approved, the veteran may renew at the discounted rate without reapplying each year. (Utah DWR Disabled Veteran Licenses)
Where to buy the license
- Utah DWR license portal Utah's official online hunting and fishing license portal.
- Utah DWR fee table Current fishing-license and permit prices from DWR.
- 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook Current statewide fishing rules, limits, and license guidance.
What if you're fishing across a state line?
Check the rules for the neighbouring state where you'll fish:
We haven't covered Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico or Nevada yet — check with those states directly.