Complete Guide to New Hampshire Fishing Licenses

From the tenacious and cunning Smallmouth Bass, through to delicious Flounder direct from the Atlantic, New Hampshire fishing action is as good as it gets, but before you throw a line out, you must have the correct New Hampshire fishing license.

In the following guide to New Hampshire Fishing Licenses, we’ll cover:

Knowing the best time to hit the water and when you’re better off staying at home is always challenging, but in this article, The Best Time to Fish: A Guide to Fishing Seasons and Optimal Times for a Great Catch we cover everything you need to know about fishing seasons and the optimal times to hit the water.

The premium Fishing Forecasting App, Fishbox App, allows anglers to track weather, tide, and atmospheric conditions to accurately predict the best times to go fishing, increase your chances of catching fish, and improve your time spent on the water. Not only that, but it’s full of helpful information about local hotspots and secret fishing locations.

Types of NH Fishing Licenses

To make fishing as accessible as possible to anglers in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has several different types of fishing licenses available. These include both resident and non-resident fishing licenses.

Even if you’ve purchased a license and have a good understanding of the laws and regulations, it’s always a good idea to check with the NHFGD before going fishing in order to ensure that there have been no last-minute season, size, or bag limit changes.

New Hampshire Resident Fishing Licenses

• Annual Freshwater Fishing.
• 1-Day Freshwater Fishing.
• Senior Freshwater Fishing.
• Recreational Saltwater Fishing.

New Hampshire Non-Resident Fishing Licenses

• Annual Freshwater Fishing.
• 1-Day Freshwater Fishing.
• 3-Day Freshwater Fishing.
• 7-Day Freshwater Fishing.
• Recreational Saltwater Fishing.

Cost of NH Fishing Licenses

To make fishing as accessible as possible to as many anglers as possible, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has a variety of different license types available for both residents and non-residents.

There are also annual and day licenses available, which are perfect for full-time anglers or anglers who are visiting New Mexico for a destination fishing trip.

New Hampshire Resident Fishing Licenses

• Annual Freshwater Fishing – $45.
• 1-Day Freshwater Fishing – $10.
• Senior Freshwater Fishing – $7.
• Recreational Saltwater Fishing – $11.

New Hampshire Non-Resident Fishing Licenses

• Annual Freshwater Fishing – $63.
• 1-Day Freshwater Fishing – $15.
• 3-Day Freshwater Fishing – $28.
• 7-Day Freshwater Fishing – $35.
• Recreational Saltwater Fishing – $11.

Please note: Prices do not include the $2.50 Wildlife Habitat Fee. An additional $2.75 fee will be charged $2.75 for all online license purchases.

To make fishing accessible to new anglers, New Hampshire also offers several free fishing days. In 2024, New Hampshire’s free fishing days are Saturday, January 20^th, and Saturday, June 1^st. Please note: All fishing regulations, including season, size, and bag limits, still apply on free fishing days.

Age Requirements for New Hampshire Fishing License

All anglers who are aged 16 and older are required to have a fishing license when fishing in the state of New Hampshire. There are a variety of different licenses available, including 1-Day, 3-Day, 7-Day, and Annual.

If you are under the age of 16, resident or non-resident, you are not required to have a fishing license in New Hampshire, but all season, size, and bag limits, along with other state and federal fishing regulations, must be adhered to.

Where to Obtain a NH Fishing License

New Hampshire offers several different ways for anglers to purchase a fishing license, including:

• Online – Licenses can be purchased online via the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department online portal. Please ensure that you have all identification and payment information available before the commencement of the online application process.
• In-Person – If you prefer to purchase your New Hampshire angling permits in person, you can do so at any of the state’s licensed fish and game agents.

Complete Guide to New Hampshire Fishing Licenses | Conclusion

Hopefully, by following the advice above, you now know how much a New Hampshire fishing license is, where to purchase it, how old you need to be to have a license, and any special regulations or rules you may need to know.

By buying a fishing license or permit, you’re directly contributing to the health and well-being of the New Hampshire fishery so that future generations of anglers get to enjoy the same, if not better, fishing than we all enjoy today. By doing the right thing, we’re all doing our part to protect our fisheries for the generations of new anglers following in our footsteps.

The Fishbox App allows anglers to accurately track weather conditions and predict the best time to go fishing. Fishbox App utilizes in-depth analysis of weather patterns, fish behavior, and tidal and lunar conditions to predict the best times to go angling and when you’re better off relaxing at home.

If you have any questions about New Hampshire fishing licenses or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to drop a comment below, and if you found it helpful, give it a share!