Licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. An angler must possess a valid fishing license for the respective season.
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses. Residents under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license. Any nonresident under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a nonresident fishing license if accompanied by an individual possessing a valid fishing license.
North Dakota residents who are on leave from active duty with the United States military can fish without a license. Contact the Department for details.
Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota, who are attending a state or tribal college, or a private institution of higher education, may qualify for purchasing resident fishing licenses. Contact the Department for details.
Some licenses are in the form of stamps. Stamps must be pasted to a Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer certificate and must also be signed.
The fishing license must be in the possession of the licensee at all times while fishing.
Free Fishing Days - Residents of North Dakota may fish (except for paddlefish) without a resident fishing license on June 2 and June 3, 2012, and on June 1 and June 2, 2013.
License Fees
Resident Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer Certificate - $1
Resident Individual Fishing - $10
Resident Husband and Wife Fishing - $14
Resident, 65 years or Older Fishing - $3
Resident, Disabled Fishing (from Bismarck office only) - $3
Resident Combination License (16 years or older - includes fishing, small game, general game and habitat, and furbearer licenses) - $32
Nonresident Fishing, Hunting & Furbearer Certificate - $2
Nonresident Individual Fishing - $35
Nonresident Husband and Wife Fishing - $45
Nonresident 10 Days Fishing - $25
Nonresident 3 Days Fishing - $15
All paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license and certificates that may be required. A resident paddlefish tag is $3, a non-resident paddlefish tag is $7.50 see Paddlefish Snagging.