Do I need a fishing license in United States?

Every state requires a fishing license for residents and non-residents (age 16+). Official source: fisheries.noaa.gov (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov).

Where can I buy a fishing permit for United States?

You can buy permits via: Federal directory (all 50 states) (US Fish & Wildlife Service); Non-resident licenses (Each state); Tourist short-term licenses (Most states).

What fish species are common in United States?

Popular target species in United States include Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout. See the species table on this page for sizes, closed seasons and key waters.

What are the main fishing rules in United States?

California: 5 trout/day, 12" min for bass, white sturgeon catch-and-release only. Closed seasons, minimum sizes and bag limits vary by species and water — see the rules tables above.

Is catch and release allowed in United States?

Catch and release is generally allowed but rules differ per water and species. Always verify with Each state manages independently; NOAA for federal marine waters.

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Fishing in United States

Each state manages independently; NOAA for federal marine waters · fisheries.noaa.gov

Plan your trip with up-to-date fishing rules in United States, where to buy a United States fishing license, common fish species (Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, Brown trout), closed seasons and key waters. All info is sourced from Each state manages independently; NOAA for federal marine waters.

Licenses & permits

•Every state requires a fishing license for residents and non-residents (age 16+).
•Separate freshwater and saltwater licenses in most coastal states.
•Additional stamps/endorsements for specific species (trout, salmon, sturgeon).
•Federal waters (beyond 3–9 nautical miles): NOAA regulations apply.
•Free fishing days offered by most states (1–2 days/year).
•Always check state fish & wildlife website before fishing.

Where to buy

Federal directory (all 50 states) — US Fish & Wildlife Service · Varies
Non-resident licenses — Each state · Typically 2–5× resident price
Tourist short-term licenses — Most states · Daily / 3-day / 7-day options

Regional licenses

Alabama · USD 13/year
Alaska · USD 29/year
Arizona · USD 37/year
California · USD 58/year
Colorado · USD 35/year
Florida · USD 17/year
Idaho · USD 30/year
Maine · USD 25/year
Massachusetts · USD 40/year
Michigan · USD 26/year
Minnesota · USD 25/year
Montana · USD 23/year
New York · USD 25/year
North Carolina · USD 25/year
Oregon · USD 44/year
Pennsylvania · USD 23/year
Tennessee · USD 28/year
Texas · USD 30/year
Vermont · USD 28/year
Virginia · USD 23/year
Washington · USD 30/year
Wisconsin · USD 20/year
Wyoming · USD 27/year

General rules

•California: 5 trout/day, 12" min for bass, white sturgeon catch-and-release only.
•Florida: no closed season for bass, 5/day, no state min size.
•Texas: 5 bass/day, 14" min (largemouth), winter trout stocking program.
•Minnesota: catch-and-release bass now allowed Feb to ice-out (new 2026).
•Maryland: striped bass closed in August in Chesapeake Bay (new 2026).
•Alaska: king salmon permits required, varies by river system.
•Catch-and-release permitted and encouraged.
•Barbless hooks required in some special-regulation waters.
•Lead tackle bans expanding (several northeastern states).
•Invasive species transport between water bodies prohibited.
•Snagging prohibited for most species (except paddlefish in some states).

Species-specific rules

Species	Water	Min size	Bag limit	Closed season	Notes
Largemouth bass	—	12–15" (30–38 cm)	5–6/day	—	Slot limits common
Smallmouth bass	—	12–15" (30–38 cm)	5–6/day	—	Often same as largemouth
Rainbow trout	—	8–12" (20–30 cm)	2–8/day	—	Wild vs hatchery rules differ
Brown trout	—	8–15" (20–38 cm)	2–5/day	—	Often separate from rainbow
Walleye	—	15–18" (38–46 cm)	3–6/day	—	Important in Midwest/Great Lakes
Northern pike	—	24–30" (61–76 cm)	2–5/day	—	—
Channel catfish	—	12–15" (30–38 cm)	5–15/day	—	Liberal limits in most states
Crappie	—	9–10" (23–25 cm)	15–30/day	—	Liberal limits
Striped bass	—	28–31" (71–79 cm)	1–2/day	—	Slot limits increasing
Bluefin tuna	—	Federal permit	1/day	—	NOAA Highly Migratory Species
Red drum	—	18–27" (46–69 cm)	1–3/day	—	Slot limits common

Common species in United States

English	Local	Scientific	FAO	Min size	Closed season	Methods	Key waters
Largemouth bass	—	Micropterus salmoides	LMB	12–15" (30–38 cm)	—	Spin, fly, plastic worms	All states, lakes/rivers
Smallmouth bass	—	Micropterus dolomieu	SMB	12–15" (30–38 cm)	—	Spin, fly, jig	Great Lakes, Ozarks, NE
Rainbow trout	—	Oncorhynchus mykiss	TRR	8–12" (20–30 cm)	—	Fly, spin	Western streams, stocked
Brown trout	—	Salmo trutta	TRS	8–15" (20–38 cm)	—	Fly, spin	NE, Great Lakes tribs
Brook trout	—	Salvelinus fontinalis	BKT	6–8" (15–20 cm)	—	Fly	Appalachian streams
Walleye	—	Sander vitreus	WAL	15–18" (38–46 cm)	—	Jig, trolling, live bait	Great Lakes, Midwest
Northern pike	—	Esox lucius	FPI	24–30" (61–76 cm)	—	Spin, fly, dead bait	Great Lakes, MN, WI
Musky	—	Esox masquinongy	MUE	36–50" (91–127 cm)	—	Spin, trolling	WI, MN, WV, Great Lakes
Channel catfish	—	Ictalurus punctatus	CCF	12–15" (30–38 cm)	—	Bottom, cut bait, stink bait	Nationwide rivers/lakes
Striped bass	—	Morone saxatilis	STB	28–31" (71–79 cm)	—	Trolling, spin, bait	Atlantic coast, Chesapeake
Red drum	—	Sciaenops ocellatus	RDM	18–27" (46–69 cm)	—	Spin, fly, bait	Gulf coast, SE Atlantic
Bluegill	—	Lepomis macrochirus	BLG	—	—	Worm, fly, jig	All states
Crappie	—	Pomoxis spp.	—	9–10" (23–25 cm)	—	Jig, minnow	Southern/Midwest lakes
Chinook salmon	—	Oncorhynchus tshawytscha	CHK	Varies	—	Trolling, fly	Pacific NW, Great Lakes
Atlantic salmon	—	Salmo salar	SAL	Varies	—	Fly	Maine, NE rivers
Bluefin tuna	—	Thunnus thynnus	BFT	Federal permit	—	Trolling	Atlantic coast
White sturgeon	—	Acipenser transmontanus	—	C&R only (CA)	—	Bottom	Columbia, Sacramento

Frequently asked questions about fishing in United States

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Disclaimer: regulations vary by region and change frequently. Always verify with the official source before fishing.