Minnesota Fishing License: Types, Costs, and Where to Buy

March 19, 2026

License Types

Minnesota offers several fishing license options to match different needs. Here are the main categories.

Resident Licenses

You qualify as a Minnesota resident if you have lived in the state for at least 60 consecutive days and intend to make it your permanent home.

• Individual License — The standard annual fishing license. Valid from March 1 through the last day of February the following year. Covers all open-water and ice fishing statewide (except designated trout waters, which require the trout stamp).
• Married Couple License — Covers both spouses on a single license. A meaningful discount over buying two individual licenses.
• Senior License — Reduced rate for residents 65 and older. Same privileges as the individual license.
• Youth License — Residents under 16 fish free and do not need a license. They must follow all regulations.
• Disabled Veteran License — Free or reduced-cost license for qualifying veterans. Contact the DNR for eligibility requirements.
• Lifetime License — A one-time purchase that covers fishing (and optionally hunting) for life. Available at tiered pricing based on age at purchase. Worth considering if you fish regularly and plan to live in Minnesota long-term.

Non-Resident Licenses

• Individual Annual License — Full-season license for out-of-state anglers. Valid March 1 through the last day of February.
• 72-Hour License — A short-term option for visitors. Valid for 72 consecutive hours from the time of purchase. A practical choice for a long-weekend fishing trip.
• 7-Day License — Valid for seven consecutive days. Good for a week-long vacation.
• Family License — Covers a non-resident and their spouse plus dependent children under 16. Check current pricing — this can save significantly over individual licenses for a family trip.

Special Stamps and Endorsements

• Trout and Salmon Stamp — Required to fish in designated trout waters. This includes most of the streams on the North Shore of Lake Superior, the BWCA trout lakes, and southeastern Minnesota spring creeks. If you are not sure whether your lake or stream requires the stamp, check the DNR’s trout water list.
• Walleye/Sauger Stamp — Not currently required in Minnesota, but proposed periodically. Check current regulations.

Where to Buy

Online

The fastest option. The DNR’s Electronic Licensing System (ELS) is available 24/7 at the DNR website. You will need a credit or debit card and basic personal information (name, address, date of birth, Social Security number for residents). Your license is valid immediately upon purchase — you can print it or display it on your phone.

License Agents

Minnesota has roughly 1,500 license agents across the state:

• Bait and tackle shops
• Sporting goods stores (Fleet Farm, Scheels, Cabela’s, Bass Pro)
• Gas stations and convenience stores (especially in resort areas)
• Some hardware stores and general stores in small towns

By Phone

You can purchase a license by calling the DNR licensing line. Have your personal information and payment card ready.

At DNR Regional Offices

Walk-in purchases available during business hours at DNR regional offices in St. Paul, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, New Ulm, and other locations.

What Your License Covers

A standard fishing license allows you to:

• Fish with up to two lines in open water (some lakes restrict to one line; check special regulations)
• Fish with up to two lines through the ice
• Keep fish up to the statewide possession limits
• Fish in all public waters statewide (except designated trout waters without the trout stamp)

Your license does not cover:

• Fishing in other states (border water rules have specific provisions — see below)
• Commercial fishing or netting
• Taking fish by illegal methods (snagging, dynamite, electricity)
• Fishing on private water without landowner permission

Border Water Rules

Minnesota shares borders with Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Canada. Fishing regulations on border waters can be complex.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Border (St. Croix River, Mississippi River)

A valid fishing license from either state covers you on most border waters. However, you must follow the regulations of the state you are fishing in based on your position. In practice, the DNR publishes specific border water regulations for the Mississippi River and St. Croix River that both states enforce jointly.

Minnesota-North Dakota (Red River)

Either state’s license is valid. Special regulations apply to the Red River and its tributaries.

Minnesota-Canada (Rainy River, Lake of the Woods, Boundary Waters)

You need a Minnesota license for waters on the Minnesota side and an Ontario fishing license for Canadian waters. On Lake of the Woods, the international boundary runs through the lake — know which side you are on.

Exemptions

The following people do not need a Minnesota fishing license:

• Residents under 16 — Must still follow all regulations.
• Residents on their own land — Landowners may fish without a license on waters that are entirely within their property boundaries. This applies to very few situations in practice.
• Free fishing days — Typically one weekend in January (ice fishing) and one weekend in June (open water). All license requirements are waived, but all other regulations remain in effect.
• Military on leave — Active-duty military members who are Minnesota residents and on official leave may fish without purchasing a license. Carry military ID and leave documentation.

Carrying Your License

You must have your fishing license in your possession while fishing. Acceptable forms include:

• The physical paper license or receipt
• A digital copy on your phone (screenshot or the DNR app)
• The purchase confirmation email with your license number

If a conservation officer asks to see your license and you cannot produce it, you may receive a citation even if you have a valid license at home. Carry it with you.

License Fees Support the Fishery

Minnesota’s fishing license fees go directly to the DNR’s fish and wildlife fund, which pays for:

• Fish stocking programs (walleye, muskellunge, trout, and others)
• Lake and stream surveys
• Habitat improvement (shoreline restoration, fish cribs, aeration systems)
• Fisheries research
• Conservation officer enforcement
• Public access maintenance (boat launches, fishing piers)

When you buy a fishing license, you are directly funding the management of the resource you enjoy. It is one of the best conservation models in the country.