Fishing License Fees & Information
| License Type | Resident* | Nonresident |
Annual Fishing | $25.00 | $56.00 |
One-day Fishing | 12.00 | 12.00 |
Five-day Fishing | 24.00 | 24.00 |
Junior Annual Fishing (age 12–17) | 5.00 | 15.00 |
Senior Annual Fishing (age 65–69) | 8.00 | NA |
70 Years and Older Annual Fishing | NC | NA |
Handicapped Annual Fishing | 8.00 | NA |
Second Rod Validation | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Game-hunting & Fishing: | 30.00 | NA |
Junior Game-hunting & Fishing: | 15.00 | NA |
Senior and Handicapped Game-hunting & Fishing | 20.00 | NA |
Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing | 10.00 | NA |
Habitat Stamp | 10.00 | 10.00 |
Habitat Management & Access Validation (HMAV) | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Gila Trout Fishing Permit | NC | NC |
OTC Duplicate License (if license is lost or destroyed): | NC | NC |
A vendor fee of $1 per transaction applies for all purchases.
NA = Not Available.
NC = No Charge.
New Mexico Residency Requirements
*To qualify for New Mexico resident fees, an individual must meet one of the following criteria.
- A United States citizen who has been domiciled in New Mexico for a period of not less than 90 days immediately preceding the date of application for a license and who does not claim residency elsewhere for any purpose. Temporary or seasonal residents, who maintain a primary residence outside of New Mexico, do not qualify for resident licenses.
- A citizen of another country who is legally in the United States and can verify residence in New Mexico for 90 days immediately preceding his/her license application.
- A student who has attended an educational institution in New Mexico while residing in the state for at least one full term preceding the application for a license. Students also must present a certificate or letter from the institution verifying their enrollment and attendance.
- A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is assigned permanently to a military installation located within New Mexico and who presents with his/her application a certificate or letter that verifies the military assignment and is signed by the commanding officer. The spouse or dependent of such person, living within the same household and similarly certified by the person’s commanding officer may also purchase resident licenses.
General Information
While fishing in New Mexico, anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License. Licenses are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year. A New Mexico Fishing License is not required on tribal reservations and Class-A lakes.
- Licenses not required for resident and nonresident anglers 11 years of age or younger..
- Junior Fishing Licenses are available to resident and nonresident anglers 12–17 years of age.
- Senior Fishing Licenses are available to New Mexico resident anglers 65–69 years of age.
- Free Licenses for New Mexico residents 70 years and older are available online, by phone and at license vendors and all NMDGF offices. Free fishing licenses are not available to nonresidents. Free licenses for 100%-disabled resident veterans are available by application through the NMDGF Headquarters in Santa Fe, NM. Free fishing licenses do not require a Habitat Stamp, Habitat Management & Access Validation or a Second Rod Validation.
- Handicapped Fishing Licenses are available New Mexico residents with a permanent disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants must have one or more disabilities that substantially limit major life activities. Handicapped fishing licenses require a Habitat Stamp, if applicable, and Habitat Management & Access Validation.
Habitat Management & Access Validation
In addition to a New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License, once each license year (April 1–March 31) anglers must purchase a Habitat Management & Access Validation. The HMAV is not required for anglers 17 years of age or younger, or in conjunction with any free fishing license. The HMAV will automatically be added to the shopping cart with your first purchase of a fishing, hunting or trapping license for persons 18 years of age and older.
Habitat Stamp
To fish on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in New Mexico, anglers 12 years of age and older must purchase a Habitat Stamp. Stamps are valid for one license year (April 1–March 31). This stamp is not required for anglers 11 years of age or younger or in conjunction with any free fishing license. Funds from the sale of the Habitat Stamp are used for improvement projects, including building fish cover, removing sediment from reservoirs and ponds, monitoring and improving water quality, preventing erosion and restoring lakes and trout streams.
Second Rod Validation
To fish with two rods, anglers 12 years of age and older must purchase a Second Rod Validation. This validation is not required in conjunction with any free fishing license. All other license regulations, such as bag and possession limits, remain the same. Three rods cannot be used at anytime.
Gila Trout Fishing Permit Free for Select Locations
A Gila Trout Fishing Permit is required to fish Black Canyon, Gilita Creek, Mineral Creek, Mogollon Creek, Sapillo Creek, West Fork Gila River (headwaters to East Fork confluence), Whitewater Creek, and Willow Creek (including tributaries). This permit is free and available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone, and at all license vendors and NMDGF offices. Please do not obtain this permit unless planning to fish in one of the waters listed above
License Information
Gila Trout Fishing Permit (Free)
A Gila Trout Fishing Permit is required to fish Black Canyon, Gilita Creek, Mineral Creek, Mogollon Creek, Sapillo Creek, West Fork Gila River (headwaters to East Fork confluence), Whitewater Creek, and Willow Creek (including tributaries). This permit is free and available online: www.wildlife.state.nm.us, by phone, and at all license vendors and NMDGF offices. Please do not obtain this permit unless planning to fish in one of the waters listed above.
New Mexico Residency Requirements
To qualify for New Mexico resident fees, an individual must meet one of the following criteria.
- A United States citizen who has been domiciled in New Mexico for a period of not less than 90 days immediately preceding the date of application for a license and who does not claim
residency elsewhere for any purpose. Temporary or seasonal residents, who maintain a primary residence outside of New Mexico, do not qualify for resident licenses.
- A citizen of another country who is legally in the United States and can verify residence in New Mexico for 90 days immediately preceding his/her licenseapplication.
- A student who has attended an educational institution in New Mexico while residing in the state for at least one full term preceding the application for a license. Students also must present a certificate or letter from the institution verifying their enrollment and attendance.
- A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is assigned permanently to a military installation located within New Mexico and who presents with his/her application a certificate or letter that verifies the military assignment and is signed by the commanding officer. The spouse or dependent of such person, livingwithin the same household and similarly certified by the person’s commanding officer may also purchase resident licenses.
Military and Veteran Licenses
50% Discount for Resident Active Military and Veterans
50% discounts on all licenses, permits and stamps are available to New Mexico residents who are active duty military or veterans. The discount may be claimed by applying for or purchasing any license, permit or stamp online, by telephone or at any license vendor. Residents claiming this discount must be able to provide proof of active duty military or veteran status upon request. Discount does not apply to: license vendor fees or the Resident Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing license. For specific eligibility requirements, see Glossary, pages 44–46 or visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
Free Licenses for 100% Disabled Veteran New Mexico Residents
New Mexico residents who are 100% disabled veterans of the armed services are eligible for a free lifetime Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled veterans may apply to NMDGF for a Disabled Veteran card, which allows the holder to fish, hunt small game and obtain a free deer hunting license. Card holders do not need to buy or possess a Habitat Stamp when fishing or hunting small game or deer. However, if hunting turkey or other big-game species, the Habitat Stamp is required.
Disabled Veterans Game-hunting & Fishing License
Residents who are disabled veterans of the armed services, but do not meet the 100%-disabled qualification, are eligible for a $10 Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & FishingLicenses are available online: www.onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, at local vendors and NMDGF offices and by telephone. A Habitat Management & Access Validation and Habitat Stamp,if applicable, are required with the Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing License.
Military Rehabilitation Fishing License
Members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in rehabilitation programs that include the learning and practice of fishing skills are eligible for free fishing licenses. The rehabilitation program must be sponsored by the federal government or a nonprofit organization authorized by the federal government and it must be under the direction of a military or federal Veteran’s Administration rehabilitation center. The Habitat Management & Access Validation and the Habitat Stamp are not required.
License Refunds and Transfers
New Mexico Fishing Licenses and Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses are nontransferable and nonrefundable. For more information, telephone the NMDGF Information Center toll-free: 1-888-248-6866.
License Information Is Public Record
Pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Sections 14-2-1 et. seq. NMSA 1978, all information provided when applying for licenses and permits is public record and must be disclosed to anyone when properly requested except as provided by law.
Parental Responsibility Act
The Parental Responsibility Act requires the New Mexico State Game Commission to revoke the recreational and professional licenses of anyone who does not comply with court-ordered child support obligations. The purpose is to discourage parental neglect of children by suspending hunting and fishing privileges until failure to pay court-ordered child support has been corrected and a $25 reinstatement fee has been paid. For more information, telephone NMDGF Field Operations: (505) 476-8065 or toll-free: 1-888-248-6866.
