Licenses
Fisheries Licenses, Permits, and Related Products
Dates for FREE fishing:
Saturday May 10, 2025 is Free Fishing Day. No fishing license is required.
Sunday June 15, 2025 is Free Fishing License Day 1. Must get a free 1-day license from the licensing system. The free 1-day license is available starting 3 weeks prior to the date.
Saturday August 9, 2025, is Free Fishing License Day 2. Must get a free 1-day license from the licensing system. The free 1-day license is available starting 3 weeks prior to the date.
Inland fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing in the Inland District . Licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st
| License Type | Fee (as of 1/1/15) |
|---|---|
| Resident Inland Fishing Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$28.00 $14.00 |
| Resident All Waters Fishing Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$32.00 $16.00 |
| Resident Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$38.00 $19.00 |
Resident All Waters Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$20.00 |
Resident All Waters Fishing and Bow and Arrow Permit to Hunt Deer and Small Game Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$65.00 $33.00 |
|
Age 18-64 Age 65 and Older Age 16 and 17 |
$5.00 $5.00 $3.00 |
| Resident Senior Citizen (65 and older) - Inland Fishing | Free (Requires Annual Renewal) |
| Nonresident Season-Inland Fishing | $55.00 |
| Nonresident Season-All Waters Fishing | $63.00 |
| Nonresident Three Day Inland Fishing | $22.00 |
| Nonresident Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting | $110.00 |
| Nonresident All Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting | $120.00 |
| Armed Forces Members* Inland Fishing | $28.00 |
| Armed Forces Members* All Waters Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting | $40.00 |
| Armed Forces Members* Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting | $38.00 |
| Intellectually Disabled or Blind** - Inland Fishing | Free |
| Physically Disabled Persons*** - Inland Fishing | Free |
| Physically Disabled Persons *** - Inland Fishing and Small Game Firearms Hunting | Free |
*Any active, full-time member of the armed forces may be issued a fishing and/or small game firearms license for the resident fee. Credentials indicating active full-time membership or separation subsequent to the issuance of the license and prior to its expiration date must be carried while fishing or hunting.
** Issuance of a free license to the blind or intellectually disabled requires proof of disability in the form of a certificate provided by any person licensed to practice medicine in this state.
*** A resident who has loss of one or more limbs or has permanently lost the use of one or more limbs may be issued a fishing or hunting license free-of-charge (permits and stamps not included). Qualified non-residents are eligible for this free license if their state provides the same privilege to Connecticut residents. Verification of the disability, signed by a licensed physician, must be presented. These licenses are available at select DEEP offices, along with participating town clerk offices.
Lost License
If you purchased your license through the Online Sportsmen Licensing System, you can reprint your license at any time by logging on with your CT Conservation ID, last name, and date of birth. After logging in, there is a link for reprinting your license on the top right of the page. If you purchased your license at a participating license vendor or DEEP Office, you can ask for them to reprint your license.
Free Lifetime License for Seniors (Age 65 and older)
The free LIFETIME RESIDENT INLAND FISHING LICENSE-AGE 65+ and LIFETIME RESIDENT FIREARM LICENSE-AGE 65+ became ANNUAL licenses effective October 1, 2009. All age 65+ licenses will need to be renewed at no cost each year.
Group Fishing License
Fee $125
Available to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations wishing to conduct up to 50 fishing programs/events for up to 50 individuals who are:
- Veterans with a service-related or other disability.
- Persons receiving mental health or addiction services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and associated programs and facilities.
- Individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities receiving services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) or a facility licensed by DDS.
- Persons receiving care from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), DCF receiving home, or certain DCF-licensed childcare facilities or programs.
No fee may be charged to participate in the events and the individuals must be supervised by an individual with a fishing license.
Contact the Fisheries Division for more information at [email protected] or 860-424-3474.
Marine Waters Fishing Licenses
Marine Waters Fishing Licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older fishing from shore or from a boat in the marine district or landing marine fish or bait species in Connecticut taken from offshore waters. Licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st. Please see Marine Waters Fishing License FAQ page for more information.
| License Type | Fee | Where to Purchase |
|---|---|---|
Resident Marine Waters Fishing Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$10.00 $5.00 | |
Resident One Day Marine Waters Fishing Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$5.00 $3.00 | - Online - Designated vendor - DEEP Offices |
Resident All Waters Fishing Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$32.00 $16.00 | - Online - Designated vendor - DEEP Offices |
| Resident Senior Citizen (65 or older) - Marine Waters Fishing | Free (Requires Annual Renewal) | |
Resident Marine Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$25.00 $13.00 | |
Resident All Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting Age 18-64 Age 16 and 17 |
$40.00 $20.00 | |
| Nonresident Marine Waters Fishing | $15.00 | |
| Nonresident Season-All Waters Fishing | $63.00 | |
| Nonresident Marine Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting | $94.00 | |
| Nonresident All Waters Fishing and Firearms Hunting | $120.00 | - Online |
| Nonresident Three Day Marine Waters Fishing | $8.00 | |
| Armed Forces Members* Marine Waters Fishing | $10.00 | |
| Intellectually Disabled or Blind** - Marine Waters Fishing | Free | |
| Physically Disabled Persons*** - Marine Waters Fishing | Free |
*Non CT residents who are active, full-time, U.S. military may obtain their fishing/hunting/trapping licenses at Connecticut resident pricing from participating town halls or DEEP’s Licensing & Revenue office.
** Issuance of a free license to the blind or intellectually disabled requires proof of disability in the form of a certificate provided by any person licensed to practice medicine in this state. If this is your first time requesting this license, please contact DEEP’s Licensing and Revenue at (860) 424-3105 for documentation submission instructions.
*** A resident who has loss of one or more limbs or has permanently lost the use of one or more limbs may be issued a fishing or hunting license free-of-charge (permits and stamps not included). Qualified non-residents are eligible for this free license if their state provides the same privilege to Connecticut residents. Verification of the disability, signed by a licensed physician, must be presented. These licenses are available at DEEP’s Licensing & Revenue office, along with participating town clerk offices.
Personal Use (not for sale) Marine Licenses
A Personal Use Lobster License is required for taking lobsters by the use of up to 10 pots or SCUBA diving, for personal use (not for sale). Guidelines for Personal Use Lobster Fishing in Connecticut. Recreational License Application (Fillable PDF). Reports required. Fee $60.00
Lobster Reporting Form (Fillable PDF)
Request for Replacement of Personal Use Trap Tags Form
A Personal Use Gillnet License is required to take menhaden with a single gillnet, not more than 60 feet in length, for personal use (not for sale), from marine waters only. Guidelines for Personal Use Gill Net for Menhaden in Connecticut. Recreational License Application (Fillable PDF) Reports required. Fee $100.00
Gillnet Reporting Form (Fillable PDF)
Commercial Licenses
A commercial license is required to take and land (regardless where taken) for sale, fish, lobsters, blue crabs, squid, sea scallops and bait species from both the inland and marine districts. For further information on commercial fishing contact DEEP Fisheries Division at 860-434-6043 or write to Marine Fisheries Office, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or e-mail at [email protected].
For Marine and Inland Commercial Bait Fishing License, Commercial Shad Fishing License, Commercial Blue Crab Fishing License, Commercial Landing Vessel Operator’s License (Landing License), Restricted Commercial Fishing License (New), Restricted Commercial Lobster Pot Fishing License (New) and Commercial Whelk (Conch) Fishing License use the:
Open-Access License Application (Fillable PDF)
For Principal Commercial Fishing License, Commercial Lobster Pot Fishing License, and General Commercial (Finfish) Fishing License and for Endorsements to take summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass:
Limited Access License Application (Fillable PDF)
Multi-State Flounder Possession Limit Application (Fillable PDF)
Commercial Tautog Tag Request Form (Fillable PDF)
Request for Commercial Plate Replacement Form
For a Fishing Guide Registration see: Hunting and Fishing Guide Registration.
Vessel Permits / Registrations
A Commercial Fishing Vessel Permit is required for all vessels used for activities authorized under commercial fishing licenses (e.g. use of commercial fishing gear, even if for personal use purposes). This permit is not required for vessels used only for activities associated with the Restricted Commercial Fishing License, Restricted Lobster Pot Fishing License, Commercial Whelk Fishing License, Inland Commercial Bait Fishing License, Marine Commercial Bait Fishing License, Commercial Blue Crab Fishing License, or Commercial Shad Fishing License. Vessel Permit Application (Fillable PDF)
A Party / Charter Vessel Registration is required for the operation of a vessel for a fee for the purpose of transporting and providing a fishing platform for sport fishermen in the marine district or for marine species in the inland district. Vessel Permit Application (Fillable PDF)
Dealer Licenses
A Seafood Dealer License is required to purchase, for resale, fish, lobsters, blue crabs, squid, and sea scallops from Connecticut Licensed Commercial Fishermen. Dealer License Application (Fillable PDF). For further information contact DEEP Fisheries Division at 860-434-6043 or write to Marine Fisheries Office, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or e-mail at [email protected].
A Bait Dealer License is required to sell Bait Species. Dealer License Application (Fillable PDF). For further information contact DEEP Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474 or write to Inland Fisheries Office, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or e-mail at [email protected].
For information on Connecticut regulations governing the taking of lobsters, marine and anadromous finfish, and crabs by commercial and recreational fishermen, see Marine Fisheries Information Circular
Other Permits and Products
Youth Fishing Passport - The Youth Fishing Passport is a free printable certificate available through the DEEP Online Sportsmen Licensing System or by phone (860-424-3474) to any person who is under the age of 16. For more information, please visit the Youth Fishing Passport page.Hunting and Fishing Guide Registration - Individuals providing fishing and hunting guide services in Connecticut must register annually with the DEEP. The registration is valid for the calendar year. The registration fee is $100 and can be purchased through the Online Outdoor Licensing System or in person at DEEP offices and other vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are available.
Please note: Any hunting or fishing guide carrying paying passengers on a vessel on marine waters, or on the Thames River, Connecticut River south of the Bulkeley Bridge (Route 84) in Hartford, or on the Housatonic River below the Derby Dam is required to hold a current passenger-for-hire license issued by the United States Coast Guard. Operators and crew of vessels registered in Connecticut as a charter, party or head boat are exempt from the guide registration when providing guide services on the registered vessel. Please refer to the Marine Fisheries Information Circular
Environmental Tourism Cruise Vessel Permit is required to use a vessel for the temporary collection of marine fish and invertebrates for educational and or tourism purposes. All animals must be returned to the water safely prior to completion of the daily tour.
For an Environmental Tourism Cruise Vessel Permit use the:
Environmental Tourism Cruise Vessel Permit Application
