Oregon Fishing License: Requirements, Costs & How to Buy

In Oregon, all persons 12 years or older must have a valid Oregon Angling License to fish for or take any fish for personal use. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages all fishing licenses, tags, and permits throughout the Beaver State. Children under 12 can fish without a license, while youth ages 12-17 need a special youth license. Oregon offers various license types for residents and non-residents, along with specialized tags and endorsements for salmon, steelhead, and other species. Licenses can be purchased online, through licensed vendors, or at ODFW offices that sell licenses.

Quick Reference: Oregon Fishing License

Who Needs a Oregon Fishing License?

Resident Requirements

All Oregon residents 12 years or older must have a valid Oregon Angling License to angle for or help another person angle for any fish for personal use. The license must be in possession while fishing, either in electronic or paper format, and must be accessible immediately upon request by department staff or law enforcement.

Oregon resident landowners have an exemption when angling on land they own, except when fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut. Additionally, Oregon residents angling on land owned by an immediate family member where they reside are also exempt, with the same species exceptions.

Non-Resident Requirements

Non-residents aged 12 and older must purchase an Oregon Angling License to fish in the state. Non-resident annual licenses are priced at $138.00, significantly higher than resident licenses. Non-residents also have access to multi-day options including two-day, three-day, and seven-day licenses for shorter fishing trips.

Shellfish License Requirements

Separate from the angling license, all persons 12 years or older must have a valid Oregon Shellfish License to take any shellfish for personal use. Annual shellfish licenses cost $13.00 for residents and $37.00 for non-residents.

Oregon Fishing License Types and Prices

Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Licenses

Youth Licenses

Senior Licenses

Uniformed Service Member and Disabled Veteran Licenses

Who Is Exempt from Needing a Fishing License?

Age Exemptions

Children younger than 12 years old do not need a license to fish or take shellfish in Oregon. This exemption applies to both residents and non-residents. Youth ages 12-17 must purchase a youth license but benefit from significantly reduced pricing at $10.00 annually.

Free Fishing Days

Oregon offers Free Fishing Days when residents and visitors can fish, crab, or clam without needing a license or tags. In 2026, Free Fishing Days are scheduled for February 14-15, June 6-7, and November 27-28. These days provide excellent opportunities to introduce friends, children, co-workers, or family members to fishing.

Landowner Exemptions

Oregon resident landowners do not need an angling license when fishing on land they own, with the exception of fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut. Similarly, Oregon residents angling on land owned by an immediate family member where they reside are exempt, except when targeting those same four species.

Crayfish and Bullfrog Exemption

No license is required when taking crayfish or bullfrogs in Oregon, regardless of age or residency status.

Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans who are Oregon residents can obtain a free Disabled Veteran Combination license, which includes both angling and hunting privileges along with the Columbia River Basin Endorsement. They also receive free shellfish licenses.

Required Tags and Endorsements

Combined Angling Tag

All anglers, regardless of age, need a valid Combined Angling Tag in possession to angle for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut. This includes catch-and-release fishing for these species. The tag costs $69.00 for residents and $89.00 for non-residents. Youth anglers pay only $5.00 for their Combined Angling Tag.

Anglers may purchase only one Combined Angling Tag per year, which authorizes the harvest of 20 salmon or steelhead. Harvested adult wild salmon or steelhead must be immediately recorded on the Combined Angling Tag. The angler who takes the fish must record it on their tag, regardless of who hooked the fish. Combined angling tags are included with daily and multi-day licenses.

Columbia River Basin Endorsement

All anglers, regardless of age, must have a valid Columbia River Basin Endorsement when angling for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream, and in all rivers and their tributaries that flow into the Columbia River. When purchased at the same time as an angling license, the endorsement costs $9.75. If purchased separately from the angling license, it costs $11.75. Daily endorsements are available for $1.00 per day.

The Columbia River Basin Endorsement is included in youth licenses, Pioneer Combination licenses, and Disabled Veteran Combination licenses at no additional charge.

Ocean Endorsement

All anglers fishing in the ocean from beaches, jetties, and boats are required to have an Ocean Endorsement unless they are only fishing for and retaining salmon or steelhead. An Ocean Endorsement is not required for taking shellfish. The annual Ocean Endorsement costs $9.00, while a daily version is available for $4.00.

Two-Rod Validation

The Two-Rod Validation allows anglers to use two rods or lines while angling in standing waterbodies such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, including Snake River impoundments above Hells Canyon Dam. Five rods or lines are permitted only when ice fishing. The validation costs $34.00 and may also be used in specified streams when authorized.

Two-Rod Validation is not required for youth under 12 years of age. It is prohibited in the Columbia River and its impoundments, seasonal or permanent backwaters and sloughs of rivers, streams and creeks, bays, estuaries and ocean waters, and coastal lakes during wild coho seasons.

Hatchery Salmon/Steelhead Harvest Tag

Anglers may purchase multiple Hatchery Harvest Tags to record hatchery salmon and steelhead harvested, in lieu of recording these fish on the Combined Angling Tag. Only hatchery salmon and hatchery steelhead may be recorded on the Hatchery Harvest Tag. Each tag costs $43.00 and is available to both residents and non-residents.

Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation

This validation must be in possession by all anglers, regardless of age, to angle for steelhead in the Rogue-South Coast area from December 1 through April 30. It costs $4.00 for residents and $8.00 for non-residents. The validation requires a valid annual angling license and combined angling tag, or a daily/multi-day angling license with a valid ODFW ID Number.

Rogue-South Coast Wild Steelhead Harvest Tag

This tag must be in possession by all anglers, regardless of age, to harvest wild steelhead in the Rogue-South Coast area. It costs $20.00 for residents and $40.00 for non-residents.

Additional Permits

Waterway Access Permit

All non-motorized boats, including drift boats, rafts, stand-up paddleboards, and inflatables, require a Waterway Access Permit. Permits are available for $8.00 weekly (7 days), $22.00 annually, or $37.00 for a two-year permit. The two-year permit is valid from the date of purchase in the current year to the end of the following year.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit

Motorized boats require an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit, which costs $22.00 for non-residents. This permit helps fund efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species in Oregon’s waters.

Wildlife Area Parking Permit

Daily Wildlife Area Parking Permits cost $10.00, while annual permits are available for $30.00. These permits are required when parking at designated wildlife areas throughout the state.

Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit

This free permit is available to qualified individuals and includes disabled clam digging privileges.

How to Buy Your Oregon Fishing License

Online Purchase

The easiest way to purchase an Oregon fishing license is through the MyODFW.com website. Click the green “Buy a license” button to access the ODFW electronic licensing system. You’ll need to either verify your existing account if you’ve purchased an annual license since 2016, or create a new account if you’re a first-time buyer.

For daily paper fishing licenses and Waterway Access Permits, you can use “Guest checkout” without creating an account, but you must be ready to print your license immediately. An account is required for electronic licenses displayed in the MyODFW app.

Once logged in, select “Purchase from the catalog,” then choose “Fishing” from the available categories. Add the licenses, tags, and endorsements you need to your cart. During checkout, you’ll choose whether to print paper copies on your home computer or download electronic versions to your smartphone using the MyODFW app.

You can print paper copies of your documents at home, but you cannot reduce the size before printing. You may trim excess blank paper after printing to make documents easier to carry. Multiple copies of your license can be printed if necessary, but only one copy of your Combined Angling Tag or Hatchery Harvest Card.

In-Person Purchase

Oregon fishing licenses are available at ODFW licensed vendors throughout the state, as well as at ODFW offices that sell licenses. This option is convenient if you prefer face-to-face service or need your license immediately without printing capabilities.

Purchasing for Others

You can buy a license for someone else online, but they need to have their own online account. They also must have their own smartphone if you select an electronic option for them, as you cannot carry or display their electronic license on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can print a paper copy of their documents for them to carry.

Licenses and tags may be purchased for you by a family member or friend, making it easy to give fishing licenses as gifts or help others get ready for their fishing trips.

License Validity and Expiration

Most Oregon hunting and fishing licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year. You can purchase next year’s license starting on December 1 to plan ahead or give as gifts to family and friends. The exception is game bird hunting permits and validations, which run from July 1 to June 30 each year.

Daily and multi-day licenses are valid for consecutive days from the date of purchase. One-day licenses expire at the end of the fishing day, while two-day, three-day, and seven-day licenses provide consecutive days of fishing privileges.

All licenses, tags, and permits must be in possession while fishing, either in electronic or paper format, and must be accessible immediately upon request by department staff or law enforcement. It is unlawful to possess an unsigned tag or a reproduction, photocopied, or resized tag. Trimming to the border of the document after printing to original size is allowed.

Angling licenses may be exchanged for a Combination License or Sports Pac License within 90 days of original purchase. Duplicate tags (reprints) are available for $2.00 if your original is lost or damaged.

Reciprocal Agreements with Neighboring States

When angling within three miles of shore from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Leadbetter Point, Washington, or in the waters of the Columbia River where it forms the Oregon-Washington boundary, both Washington and Oregon resident fishing licenses are valid. However, any anglers other than Washington residents must have a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when landing fish or taking shellfish by boat in Oregon.

This reciprocal agreement simplifies fishing in boundary waters between the two states, but anglers should ensure they understand which state’s regulations apply to the specific waters they’re fishing and comply with all tagging and reporting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the most current information and to purchase your license, visit the official Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. You can also call ODFW licensing staff at 503-947-6101 if you have questions about licensing requirements.