New Hampshire offers trout streams, mountain lakes and Atlantic coastal waters. The main distinction is between freshwater and recreational saltwater fishing. Residents and nonresidents pay different freshwater rates, while the saltwater license costs the same for everyone. Here’s how the permits, prices and exemptions work.
New Hampshire fishing license costs
Visiting for a few days? You don’t need to pay for a full annual license. The table below compares the 2026 options.
New Hampshire fishing license fees
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Key details |
| Annual freshwater | $45 | $63 | Valid January 1 through December 31. |
| 1-day freshwater | $10 | $15 | Single day. |
| 3-day freshwater | Not available | $28 | Consecutive days. |
| 7-day freshwater | Not available | $35 | Consecutive days. |
| Senior freshwater (68+) | $7 | Not available | Eligible residents, renewed annually. |
| Milestone permanent freshwater | Free | Not available | Eligible long-term senior residents (born 1947 or earlier). |
| Annual hunting and freshwater fishing combination | $56 | $151 | May carry hunting-related requirements and fees. |
| Senior combination hunting and fishing (68+) | $7 | Not available | Eligible residents. |
| Recreational saltwater (16+) | $11 | $11 | Same fee for everyone. |
| Newborn lifetime combination gift certificate | $304.50 | Not available | Hunting and freshwater fishing. See the lifetime section. |
Freshwater license prices include a $1 agent fee and a $1 Fisheries Habitat Fee. You’ll also pay a separate transaction fee of $2 per license form, or $2.75 if you purchase online. Before buying, check the official New Hampshire license schedule for the latest fees and requirements.
Which New Hampshire fishing license should you choose?
| Your situation | License to consider |
| You live here and fish a few times a year | Resident 1-day, or annual if you fish more than four days |
| You live here and fish through the year | Resident annual freshwater |
| You’re 68 or older and a resident | Senior freshwater or senior combination |
| You also fish the coast | Add the $11 recreational saltwater license |
| You’re visiting for one day | Nonresident 1-day |
| You’re visiting for a weekend | Nonresident 3-day ($28) |
| You’re visiting for a week | Nonresident 7-day ($35) |
| You visit several times a year | Nonresident annual |
New Hampshire resident fishing license
If you meet New Hampshire’s residency requirements, you can get a resident freshwater license at a lower price than nonresidents. An annual license is a good option if you fish regularly throughout the state, while a 1-day permit works for a single outing. Eligible seniors can also get a reduced-cost annual license, and combination hunting and fishing licenses are available if you want both privileges.
Your freshwater license covers fishing in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams throughout New Hampshire, subject to species-specific, seasonal, and water-specific regulations.
New Hampshire nonresident fishing license
If you live outside New Hampshire, you’ll generally need a nonresident fishing license. You can choose an annual freshwater license or a short-term option valid for 1, 3, or 7 days. The annual license covers freshwater fishing throughout the state, subject to applicable regulations.
Full-time students attending a school in New Hampshire may qualify for resident-rate licenses if they meet the department’s enrollment and documentation requirements. These licenses must be obtained through Fish and Game headquarters, rather than through the standard online purchase process.
The 7-day permit costs only $7 more than the 3-day option, making it a better value if you plan to fish for more than a long weekend. Before choosing, check how many nearby fishing spots are available in Fishbox. If you find only one or two places you want to fish, the 3-day permit may be all you need.
New Hampshire freshwater fishing license
Most anglers aged 16 and older need a freshwater fishing license to fish in New Hampshire’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. It covers all freshwater species, including trout, salmon, bass, and other game fish, subject to applicable regulations. A separate general trout stamp isn’t required, but some waters and species have additional seasons, limits, or restrictions.
New Hampshire saltwater fishing license
If you plan to fish along the Atlantic coast or in New Hampshire’s coastal and estuarine waters, you may need a recreational saltwater license. It’s required for residents and nonresidents aged 16 and older who recreationally take, possess, or transport finfish from these waters. The requirement also applies to spearfishers and anglers using other permitted gear. Residents and nonresidents pay the same fee.
| Situation | What applies |
| Fishing aboard a properly licensed charter or party boat | You don’t need a separate recreational saltwater license. |
| New Hampshire residents fishing in Maine or Massachusetts saltwater | A valid New Hampshire recreational saltwater license can also be used there. |
| Senior freshwater exemption | This does not exempt you from the saltwater license requirement. |
If you plan to fish in both freshwater and saltwater during your trip, make sure you have the appropriate license for each.
A New Hampshire recreational saltwater license can also be used across state lines in Maine and Massachusetts. Use Fishbox to explore coastal fishing spots in the area, including locations on either side of the state line, and compare their forecasts before deciding where to go.
New Hampshire fishing license for seniors
New Hampshire offers reduced-cost freshwater licenses to eligible residents aged 68 and older. The annual senior freshwater license is available to New Hampshire residents born in 1948 or later who have reached age 68 at the time of purchase. It must be renewed every year.
Residents born in 1947 or earlier may qualify for a free permanent Milestone freshwater license. This is different from the annual senior license and must be obtained through a designated Fish and Game office or an eligible license agent, rather than through the standard online purchase process.
Keep in mind that the senior freshwater exemption doesn’t apply to saltwater fishing. Anglers aged 68 and older still need a recreational saltwater license when fishing in covered coastal waters.
New Hampshire lifetime fishing license
New Hampshire doesn’t offer a general lifetime fishing license that residents or nonresidents can purchase at any age. However, two special programs are available:
| Program | Details |
| Newborn lifetime combination license | A lifetime combination hunting and freshwater fishing gift certificate for eligible newborns. A parent or legal guardian must be a New Hampshire resident, and a birth certificate is required. It can be bought from birth until the day before the child’s first birthday. |
| Permanent Milestone license | A free permanent freshwater fishing license for eligible residents born in 1947 or earlier. |
How to buy a New Hampshire fishing license online
The easiest way is the official Fish and Game licensing system.
- Visit the New Hampshire Fish and Game online licensing portal.
- Select the option to purchase a license.
- Create an account or sign in.
- Choose a resident or nonresident license.
- Select freshwater, saltwater or the appropriate combination.
- Review your details and complete the payment.
You can also buy from authorized license agents throughout the state or in person at Fish and Game offices.
Can you show your New Hampshire fishing license on your phone?
Yes. New Hampshire allows anglers to display a valid license as a PDF or fixed image on a smartphone. The information must be visible and readable by a Conservation Officer, and you must be able to present photo identification when requested. You can also print your license.
New Hampshire free fishing days
New Hampshire holds two Free Fishing Days each year. On these dates, residents and nonresidents can fish freshwater or saltwater without a license.
| Day | 2026 date | Recurring schedule |
| Free Ice Fishing Day | January 17, 2026 | Third Saturday in January |
| Summer Free Fishing Day | June 6, 2026 | First Saturday in June |
All other fishing regulations remain in effect, including seasons, size limits, and daily bag limits. Anglers taking part in fishing tournaments must still have a valid license.
The summer event is a good opportunity to try fishing for the first time, while Free Ice Fishing Day offers a chance to experience winter fishing. If you’re planning to fish in June, use Fishbox to find a nearby pond or stream and check the fishing forecast before heading out. That way, you can choose a spot and plan around the weather.
Pond, stream or shoreline? Decide with the forecast beside you
A stocked trout pond, a quiet mountain stream and the Atlantic shoreline are different trips, and in a small state they can all be within an easy drive of each other. Fishbox shows the spots near you on one map with the forecast beside each, so you can choose which of the three suits the day before you leave.