License Information

Fishing licenses are required for people 16 years of age and older. Review the License Fees & Requirements section for license information.

How To Use This Book

1. Review License Information in this section and the License Fees & Requirements; Definitions; Important Laws and Rules, including Unlawful Actions; and Ice Fishing Rules.
2. If you want to fish a lake or pond, check to see if it is listed in Lakes & Ponds with Special Rules.
   • If it is listed, make note of any restrictions, seasons, bag limits, methods or additional/special rules shown. For those lakes and ponds listed as Trout Ponds, Fly-fishing only, Wild Trout or Lake Trout and/or Salmon waters, refer to Lakes & Ponds: Special Rules.
   • If the lake or pond is not listed in the Lakes & Ponds with Special Rules section, follow Lakes & Ponds: General Rules, including seasons, bag limits, etc., as shown.
3. If you want to fish a river or stream, check to see if it is listed in Rivers & Streams with Special Rules.
   • If it is listed, make note of any restrictions, seasons, bag limits, methods or additional/special rules shown for the specified section.
   • If the river or stream is not listed in the Rivers & Streams with Special Rules section, follow Rivers & Streams: General Rules, including seasons, bag limits, etc., as shown.
4. See Interstate Waters.

Buying a License

Fishing and hunting licenses, valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of each year, may be purchased online via www.FishNH.com, from license agents, Fish and Game Department headquarters in Concord, Fish and Game Region 1, 2 and 4 offices and some town or city clerks. The license must be carried on your person when fishing and/or hunting.

Lost Licenses

Lost licenses can be replaced at Fish and Game’s Concord headquarters, or at the license agency that issued the original license. The cost of a duplicate license is $6.00 per license form.

Violation/Revocation

Violation of any fishing law or rule, littering, or criminal trespass (RSA 214:19; 207:36-b; 635:2) will result in the revocation of your fishing license or privilege.

Exceptions

A fishing license is not required for children under the age of 16 (RSA 214:2).

Fisheries Habitat Fee

All freshwater anglers pay a $1 fisheries habitat fee, which is included in the license price. Revenue is used to improve and restore fisheries habitats.

Residency Requirements

To obtain a license at resident rates, the person must present to the issuing agent a valid New Hampshire driver’s license or non-driver’s picture identification card issued by the NH Department of Safety, Div. of Motor Vehicles. Whenever the applicant is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of the applicant shall be a resident and present their valid NH driver’s license or non-driver’s picture identification.

Note: Any person who is no longer a legal resident of the state, but still retains a valid NH driver’s license, is guilty of a misdemeanor if he/she tries to obtain a resident fishing, hunting or trapping license based on this driver’s license.

Military Licenses

NH residents who are regular active duty in the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard permanently stationed outside the state are eligible for free temporary hunting and fishing licenses and may acquire them at no charge. Available at NH Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord; Region 1, 2 and 4 offices; or by mail or fax (603) 271-5829 (download an Active Duty Military License application from the Fish and Game website and send with duty orders). A copy of duty orders must be presented for verification. Call (603) 271-3422 for information.

Non-resident military personnel on regular, active duty, and permanently stationed in New Hampshire, may purchase licenses at NH resident rates.