Minnesota Fishing License Cost
Prices checked against official sources on
A Minnesota resident individual angling license costs $26, and a 3-year license costs $72. Nonresidents pay $52 for an individual license, $44 for 7 days or $15 for 24 hours. Residents under 16 and 90 or older fish without a license.
Ready to buy? Licenses are sold by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Official license page ↗
Minnesota fishing license prices
Total fees as published by the Minnesota DNR, including the $1.00 agent issuing fee.
Resident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual angling (ages 18–89) | $26.00 |
| Combination angling | $41.00 |
| 3-year angling | $72.00 |
| 72-hour angling | $15.00 |
| 24-hour angling | $13.00 |
| Youth angling (ages 16–17) | $6.00 |
Nonresident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual angling | $52.00 |
| Family angling | $69.00 |
| 14-day married couple | $55.00 |
| 7-day | $44.00 |
| 72-hour | $37.00 |
| 24-hour | $15.00 |
Stamps
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Trout stamp validation (ages 19–64) | $10.00 |
What common trips cost
Totals worked out from the official prices above.
| Situation | What to buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident, full license year | Individual angling | $26.00 |
| Resident, three seasons | 3-year angling | $72.00 |
| Nonresident weekend | 72-hour license | $37.00 |
| Nonresident week at a lake | 7-day license | $44.00 |
| Nonresident family, full license year | Family angling | $69.00 |
Who needs a fishing license in Minnesota
- Minnesota residents under 16 can fish without a license.
- Residents 90 and older can fish without a license.
- Nonresidents under 16 can fish without a license if a parent or guardian has one (the fish count toward the parent's limit), or can buy a youth license or be included on a nonresident family license.
- Nonresidents aged 16 and 17 must buy a youth license.
When the license is valid
Minnesota's fishing license year runs from March 1 to the last day of February. A license bought in November 2026 is valid until February 28, 2027.
Free fishing days in Minnesota
During Take a Kid Fishing weekends, Minnesota residents who fish with a child 15 or younger don't need a license.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| January 17–19, 2026 | Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend |
| June 5–7, 2026 | Take a Kid Fishing Weekend |
Dates for next year are added as soon as the agency announces them.
Where to buy
Online through the Minnesota DNR license system or at license agents across the state. The $1.00 agent fee is included in the prices above.
How to pay less, and what to watch out for
A license bought now runs out February 28
Because the license year ends on the last day of February, a license bought in the fall covers only a few months. For ice fishing in winter, it can still be worth it.
The 3-year license
At $72, the 3-year resident license saves $6 over three $26 licenses.
Nonresident options
For a week at a lake, the 7-day license ($44) costs only $8 less than the individual license ($52). A couple on a two-week trip can use the 14-day married couple license ($55).
Trout waters
The DNR lists the trout stamp validation at $10 for anglers aged 19 to 64. Check the DNR's trout rules for the waters that require it.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Minnesota fishing license?
$26 for a resident individual angling license and $52 for a nonresident individual license, including the agent fee.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Minnesota?
Residents 90 and older don't. Below that age, the regular resident license applies.
When does a Minnesota fishing license expire?
On the last day of February. The new license year starts March 1.
Do kids need a fishing license in Minnesota?
Residents under 16 don't. Nonresidents 16 and 17 must buy a youth license.
Sources
Every price and rule on this page comes from these official pages. If the agency changes a fee, its page wins over ours; tell us and we'll correct it.