Buddy License Update for 2025

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Exciting Changes to the Buddy Fishing License Program!
Increased Eligibility for Reduced Fee Licenses Beginning in 2025

The Buddy Fishing License Program was introduced in 2016 to reward anglers for introducing a "Buddy" to fishing by offering fishing licenses at a reduced cost, and to promote the outstanding freshwater fishing opportunities New Jersey has to offer. This license offers both an existing angler and new angler, or two new anglers, an opportunity to receive reduced-priced fishing licenses provided they purchase their licenses together. Unfortunately, the definition of a “new angler” was inadvertently changed as the original bill went through the process of becoming a law. A “New Angler” was accidentally defined as someone who had not had a fishing license since a fixed year (2010) instead of a floating time span that would change with each successive year. This meant that with each passing year, fewer and fewer people could take advantage of this incentive.

This definition has been corrected by the state Legislature and NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is excited to now offer customers the opportunity to take advantage of the law as originally intended! This change begins with the 2025 Licenses, which became available Monday, December 2, 2024.

When a returning angler and a new angler, or two new anglers, purchase Buddy Fishing licenses together in the same transaction, both customers will receive a substantial discount. For a Buddy Fishing License, the following definitions apply:

Returning Angler – A returning angler is someone who has purchased at least one NJ resident or non-resident fishing license in the previous five years. NJ residents must be 16–64 and be eligible for a regular resident fishing license and not qualify for any of the already discounted licenses. Non-residents must be age 16 or older.

New Angler – A new angler is someone who either has never purchased a NJ Fishing License before or someone who has had at least a five-year lapse in purchasing and therefore, does not have a NJ fishing license on file for any of the previous five years. For example, if purchasing for 2025, the previous five years include 2020–2024 inclusive. In 2026, the previous five years would include 2021–2025.

Who Qualifies for the Buddy Fishing License Discount?

A “Buddy Team” must be two individuals and the licenses for these individuals must be purchased together in the same transaction.

A Buddy Team may consist of either:

One Returning Angler and One New Angler purchasing together.
Two New Anglers purchasing together.

Who is Not Eligible for the Buddy Fishing License Discount?

The following individuals already qualify for a discounted license and therefore are not eligible to be considered part of a Buddy Team: Disabled Veterans or National Guard personnel who are certified in the system and already receive no-charge items, senior residents aged 65 and older who qualify for senior priced licenses, and NJ residents over the age of 70 who are exempt from license requirements for freshwater fishing.

Do Buddies Always Have to Fish Together?

No, Buddy Fishing Licenses don’t tie you at the hip boots. While NJDEP Fish & Wildlife hopes the seasoned or returning angler will impart some lessons and skills to new anglers, both Buddy Fishing license holders can fish alone or with other partners at any point in time.

How Do We Purchase the Reduced-priced Licenses?

Licenses must be purchased in the same transaction. At a license agent both customers do not need to be present, however the absent customer MUST have already completed their profile using our internet sales site and completed their Child Support Certification form for the year.

Online purchases must also be done in the same transaction and BOTH customers must have already completed their profiles and Child Support Certification forms prior to initiating the sales transaction.

You need a Buddy Team of two people who are both eligible for full-priced NJ Fishing Licenses. (NJ residents 16-64, non-residents aged 16 or over)
Make sure at least one person in your Buddy Team has not had a NJ Fishing License in the prior five years.
Decide how you want to purchase your licenses.

What’s It Going to Cost Me?

Full price

Resident Fishing License — $22.50

Non-resident Fishing License — $34.00

All-Around License — $72.25

Buddy Up and Save!

Resident Buddy Fishing — $11.75

Non-resident Buddy Fishing — $17.50

All-Around Buddy License — $62.25

There is no limit on the number of Buddy Fishing Licenses a customer may purchase in their lifetime, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements each license year.

What’s the Catch?

The only catch is the fish you hook! This reduced-price license is an incentive for new anglers who may be apprehensive to try the sport alone and for seasoned or returning anglers to introduce new fishing buddies into the sport.

Whether your goals are to catch big fish, spend quality time outdoors with friends or family, or just enjoy some quiet relaxing time in nature, Buddy Fishing Licenses are a great way to introduce others to the sport you love!