Anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in New York’s freshwaters needs a valid fishing license. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages all freshwater fishing licenses, which allow you to catch freshwater fish species, frogs, and freshwater baitfish using methods including angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, nets, traps, and tip-ups. Licenses can be purchased online, by phone, or at authorized license issuing agent locations throughout the state.
Quick Reference: New York Fishing License
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Resident Annual (16-69) | $25 |
| Resident Annual (70+) | $5 |
| Non-Resident Annual | $50 |
| License Required Age | 16 and older |
| Youth Exempt | Under 16 |
| Senior Discount | 70+ years |
| License Expiration | 365 days from date of purchase |
| Buy Online | NY DEC Website |
Who Needs a New York Fishing License?
Resident Requirements
New York State residents 16 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license to fish in freshwaters. To qualify for a resident license, you must live in New York State for more than 30 days immediately preceding the date of application. Residency is defined as the place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent, and principal home, such as where they are registered to vote. Land ownership in New York does not automatically make you a resident.
Active members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in New York and full-time college students in residence in the state during the school year qualify for annual resident licenses with proper proof. For lifetime licenses, applicants must provide proof of New York State residency for one full year.
Non-Resident Requirements
Non-residents 16 years of age or older must purchase a non-resident fishing license to fish New York’s freshwaters. Non-resident students attending a New York State college or university full-time may qualify for reduced fee licenses. All non-residents must carry their fishing license while fishing and present it upon request to any police officer, peace officer, or person in control of the waters where they are fishing.
New York Fishing License Types and Prices
Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual (ages 16-69) | $25 | 365 days from purchase |
| Annual (ages 70+) | $5 | 365 days from purchase |
| 7-Day | $12 | 7 consecutive days |
| 1-Day | $5 | 1 day |
| Military/Disabled | $5 | 365 days from purchase |
Non-Resident Licenses
| License Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | $50 | 365 days from purchase |
| 7-Day | $28 | 7 consecutive days |
| 1-Day | $10 | 1 day |
Lifetime Licenses (Residents Only)
| License Type | Age Group | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Fishing | 0-69 years | $460 |
| Lifetime Fishing | 70+ years | $65 |
| Lifetime Sportsman (Hunting, Fishing, Turkey) | Under 5 years | $380 |
| Lifetime Sportsman (Hunting, Fishing, Turkey) | 5-11 years | $535 |
| Lifetime Sportsman (Hunting, Fishing, Turkey) | 12-69 years | $765 |
| Lifetime Sportsman (Hunting, Fishing, Turkey) | 70+ years | $65 |
License Issuing Agents may charge an optional $1 print fee for all printed transactions to help cover supply costs. Transactions made online or over the phone are subject to a $2 printing and mailing fee if items are printed and mailed. These additional fees can be avoided by choosing to have your license emailed to you for printing at home.
Who Is Exempt from Needing a Fishing License?
Age Exemptions
All persons under 16 years of age may fish in New York’s freshwaters without a license. There is no upper age exemption that eliminates the license requirement entirely, though residents 70 years and older qualify for a reduced fee of $5 for an annual license.
Other Exemptions
The following individuals do not need a fishing license when fishing in New York’s freshwaters:
- Resident landowners primarily engaged in farming, including lessees and members of their immediate families, when fishing on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating
- Farm fish pond license holders and members of their immediate families when fishing on waters covered by the license
- Native Americans who are members of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck tribes or the Six Nations residing on reservations in New York State
- Resident patients at qualifying U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals or facilities in New York State
- Resident patients at Department of Mental Health institutions and Department of Health rehabilitation hospitals, and inmates at Division of Youth rehabilitation centers
- Anyone fishing on licensed fishing preserves
- Anyone fishing during designated Free Fishing Days
- Anyone fishing at a free learn to fish clinic approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Free and Reduced Fee Licenses
The following New York State residents qualify for free fishing licenses and may obtain them at any license issuing outlet:
- Residents who are legally blind (must provide a doctor’s note to the License Issuing Agent)
- Active service members of the New York State Organized Militia (National Guard) or U.S. Reserve Forces
- Residents stationed outside of New York who are on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are on leave in New York for no longer than 30 days
New York State residents with a military disability of 40% or greater pay $5 annually for the first of three privileges: fishing, hunting, or trapping. Subsequent purchases of the other two privileges are free within the calendar year. Questions about military disability licenses should be directed to 518-402-8843.
Special Permits and Registrations
Recreational Marine Fishing Registry
A freshwater fishing license does not allow for the taking of migratory marine fish species. Anglers 16 years of age and older who fish in the Marine and Coastal District of New York or for migratory marine species such as striped bass, hickory shad, and river herring from all waters of the state, including the Hudson River and Delaware River, must enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. The Marine Registry is free and can be obtained wherever fishing licenses are sold. For additional information concerning the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry, contact the DEC Division of Marine Resources at 631-444-0430.
Tidal Hudson River Requirements
North of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, anglers fishing for freshwater species need a freshwater fishing license, while those targeting migratory marine species need a Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. South of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in the Marine and Coastal District, all species require a Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.
How to Buy Your New York Fishing License
Online Purchase
You can purchase your New York fishing license online through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website. To complete your online purchase, you will need proof of residency for resident fees, your driver’s license number or non-driver ID number, a credit or debit card, and a printer to print your license. The process involves signing in or registering, completing the form, and receiving a screen confirmation with your DEC-LS confirmation number, which serves as valid proof of your fishing license. You can then print the license immediately or have it sent to your home by mail.
Phone Purchase
Licenses can be ordered by calling 1-866-933-2257, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone orders are subject to a $2 printing and mailing fee if items are printed and mailed. Lifetime licenses purchased by phone take at least two weeks for processing, so plan accordingly during peak fishing seasons or when purchasing for holidays and special occasions.
In-Person Purchase
You can visit any authorized License Issuing Agent location throughout New York State to purchase your fishing license in person. License Issuing Agents have the option to charge a $1 print fee for all printed transactions to help cover the cost of supplies. To find a Sporting License Issuing Location near you, visit the DEC website.
License Validity and Expiration
Annual fishing licenses in New York are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase or renewal. If you renew a fishing license that is expiring within 60 days, your new license becomes valid the day after your current license expires. Seven-day licenses are valid for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase, and one-day licenses are valid for one day only.
Lifetime licenses remain valid for the life of the license holder and provide privileges equal to those of annual license buyers. Lifetime license privileges remain valid for fishing in New York State regardless of a change in residency. After the original purchase, appropriate tags and any special applications are mailed annually to lifetime licensees.
Replacing Lost Licenses
Lost lifetime license ID cards can be replaced for a fee of $5 at any license issuing agent, and the ID card will be sent to you in the mail. Holders of lifetime licenses should receive their license, tags, and back tag in the mail no later than September 1st each year, provided they have met age and education requirements and kept their license profile up-to-date. If the lifetime license mailing is not received by September 1st, lifetime holders can get them replaced at an agent location for free between September 1st and November 1st. Replacements after November 1st are subject to standard replacement fees.
Valid Proof of License
Valid proof of your fishing license includes the license on official license paper (Valeron), the Hunt Fish NY App, an online printable license, your 12-digit DEC ID number, a plastic lifetime card, or an Adventure License. Do not laminate your Valeron license, as the heat from this process will cause it to become unreadable. License holders must have valid proof on their person while fishing and must exhibit it on demand to any police or peace officer, or the owner, lessee, or person in control of the lands or waters where they are fishing.
Reciprocal Agreements with Neighboring States
A New York State fishing license allows you to fish certain border waters that extend into neighboring states. The following table shows whether a New York fishing license entitles the holder to fish the out-of-state portion of these waters:
| Water Body | State/Province Bordering | Can Fish with NY License |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Ontario | Ontario | No |
| Lake Erie | Ontario, Pennsylvania | No |
| St. Lawrence River | Ontario, Quebec | No |
| Niagara River | Ontario | No |
| Lake Champlain | Quebec | No |
| Lake Champlain | Vermont | Yes (with exceptions) |
| Delaware River & West Branch Delaware River (along boundary) | Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Greenwood Lake | New Jersey | Yes (from boat or ice only) |
| Indian Lake | Connecticut | Yes (from boat or ice only) |
For Lake Champlain, New York State fishing licenses are valid on all Vermont portions of the lake with the exception of The Inland Sea (including “The Gut”), Mallett’s Bay, Missisquoi Bay, and all rivers. For specific information and maps regarding reciprocal fishing licenses for Lake Champlain, visit the DEC website.
New York Adventure License Program
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has teamed up with DEC and NYS Parks to offer the Adventure License program. Purchasers of DEC-issued lifetime sporting licenses can now have their New York State DMV-issued photo document show evidence that they possess a New York Adventure License.
New lifetime sporting license purchasers can opt to have icons added to their New York State driver license. You may choose to get your new DMV ID immediately for a fee of $12.50, or wait for your next license renewal at no charge. Existing lifetime license holders can log in to the Online Sporting License Sales System and request a new driver license or non-driver ID with their lifetime sporting credentials.
Adventure License holders also have the opportunity to get customized license plates for their vehicle showing how much they enjoy hunting and fishing. If you hold a sporting or recreational license purchased from DEC, you can choose any of the six I LOVE NY Hunting or Fishing plates.
Free Fishing Days
New York State offers Free Fishing Days when anyone can fish the freshwaters of the state without a license. During these dates, no fishing license is required, though all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Free Fishing Days for 2025 are February 15-16. These dates provide the perfect opportunity to take a friend or relative fishing or to try fishing for the first time. For a list of DEC-approved fishing clinics, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a fishing license in NY?
A resident annual fishing license for ages 16-69 costs $25, while residents 70 and older pay $5. Non-resident annual licenses cost $50. Short-term options include 7-day licenses at $12 for residents and $28 for non-residents, and 1-day licenses at $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Lifetime fishing licenses are available to residents only for $460 (ages 0-69) or $65 (ages 70+).
Can I fish without a license in NY?
Yes, you can fish without a license in New York if you are under 16 years of age. You can also fish without a license during designated Free Fishing Days (February 15-16, 2025), at free learn to fish clinics approved by DEC, or on licensed fishing preserves. Additional exemptions apply to resident landowners fishing on their own farmland, Native Americans on reservations, and certain other specific groups.
How do I get a fishing license in New York?
You can obtain a New York fishing license three ways: online through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website, by phone at 1-866-933-2257 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM), or in person at any authorized License Issuing Agent location throughout the state. Online and phone purchases allow you to print your license at home or have it mailed to you.
Can you have your fishing license on your phone in New York?
Yes, New York accepts digital proof of your fishing license through the Hunt Fish NY App. Other valid forms of proof include your 12-digit DEC ID number, an online printable license, the official license paper (Valeron), a plastic lifetime card, or an Adventure License. You must have valid proof on your person while fishing and present it upon request to law enforcement or property owners.
Do I need a separate license to fish for saltwater species in New York?
Yes, if you are fishing for migratory marine species or fishing in the Marine and Coastal District, you must enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. This applies to anyone 16 years and older fishing for species such as striped bass, hickory shad, and river herring from all waters of the state, including the Hudson River and Delaware River. A freshwater fishing license alone does not authorize taking migratory marine fish species.
For the most current information, complete fishing regulations, and to purchase your license, visit the official New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.