New York Fishing License Cost
Prices checked against official sources on
A New York freshwater fishing license costs $25 a year for residents 16 to 69 and $5 for residents 70 and older. Nonresidents pay $50 a year, $28 for 7 days or $10 for one day. Annual licenses last 365 days from the date you buy them.
Ready to buy? Licenses are sold by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Official license page ↗
New York fishing license prices
Freshwater fishing license fees as listed by DEC.
Resident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual (ages 16–69) | $25 |
| Annual (ages 70+) | $5 |
| 7-day | $12 |
| 1-day | $5 |
Nonresident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual | $50 |
| 7-day | $28 |
| 1-day | $10 |
What common trips cost
Totals worked out from the official prices above.
| Situation | What to buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident couple, both under 70 | 2 × annual $25 | $50 |
| Resident 70 or older | Annual senior | $5 |
| Nonresident weekend (2 days) | 2 × 1-day $10 | $20 |
| Nonresident week | 7-day license | $28 |
| Nonresident, more than two short trips a year | Annual license | $50 |
Who needs a fishing license in New York
- Anyone 16 or older needs a license to fish New York's fresh waters, whether by angling, spearing, hooking, longbow or tip-ups.
- The license also covers taking frogs by spearing, catching by hand, or with a club or hook, and collecting freshwater baitfish for personal use.
- Saltwater is separate: fishing for saltwater species, or for migratory fish of the sea, requires the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry instead.
- Free or reduced-fee annual licenses are available to some groups, including active-duty military, veterans with a 40% or greater disability, legally blind people and some full-time nonresident students at New York colleges. Most of these require New York residency.
When the license is valid
New York annual licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, so there is no single renewal date. Lifetime licenses are also sold, to residents only.
Free fishing days in New York
On Free Fishing Days, nobody needs a freshwater fishing license in New York. All other fishing regulations still apply.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| February 14–15, 2026 | Presidents' Day weekend |
| June 27–28, 2026 | Summer free fishing weekend |
| September 26, 2026 | National Hunting and Fishing Day |
| November 11, 2026 | Veterans Day |
Dates for next year are added as soon as the agency announces them.
Where to buy
Through DEC's automated licensing system (DECALS), online or at license-issuing agents.
How to pay less, and what to watch out for
The senior license is almost free
At 70, the annual license drops from $25 to $5. That is the lowest senior price of the six states we cover; compare it with the senior licenses in Pennsylvania ($14.47) and Ohio ($10).
Short trips: 7-day versus 1-day
A nonresident on a weekend trip pays $20 for two 1-day licenses, against $28 for the 7-day license. From the third day on, the 7-day license is the cheaper option. For residents, the 7-day license ($12) beats two 1-day licenses ($10) only from the third day.
Annual licenses don't expire on a fixed date
Because the license runs 365 days from purchase, it's worth noting the purchase date. A license bought in May expires the following May, in the middle of the season.
Fishing in saltwater as well
The freshwater license does not cover marine fishing. If you also fish for saltwater species, you need the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry too.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a New York fishing license?
$25 a year for residents 16 to 69, $5 for residents 70 and older, and $50 for nonresidents.
When is the next free fishing day in New York?
The last free fishing day of 2026 is Veterans Day, November 11. DEC announces the next year's dates early in the year.
Do kids need a fishing license in New York?
No. The license is required from age 16.
Does the freshwater license cover saltwater?
No. Saltwater fishing requires the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.
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.