With more than 5000 lakes and 15,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, Minnesota offers some great fishing for species, including trout, bass, walleye, pike, and catfish.
Buying the right Minnesota fishing license is central to enjoying the fishing the state has to offer.
In this article, we explain how much a Minnesota fishing license costs, which license type you need, and where to buy your license.
Table of Contents
To legally fish in Minnesota, all residents of Minnesota, aged 16 to 89, must have a current Minnesota fishing license unless an exemption applies. You must carry your license when fishing or traveling from an area where you were fishing.
All nonresidents need a license, except those younger than 16, do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed.
Resident fishing licenses in Minnesota cost as little as $12 for a 2-hour period up to $71 for a full-year license. Non-resident fishing licenses in Minnesota cost from $14 (24 hours) to $43(7 days). The tables below explain all the different types of licenses and the cost of each.
The following individuals are exempt from needing a Minnesota fishing license:
Longer-term licenses offer additional choices. To begin with, married couples can get a hefty discount when buying licenses together. Furthermore, there are 4 different types of licenses to choose from: Regular, Conservation, Sports, and Super Sports.
To qualify as a resident:
| License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Angling – 24-hour Code 110 (r) | $12.00 |
| Angling – 3-year Individual – Code 141 (r) | $71.00 |
| Angling – 72 Hour – Code 140 (r) | $14.00 |
| Angling – combination (Married Couple) (r) – Code 112 | $40.00 |
| Angling – dark house rental (r) – Code 120 | $30.00 |
| Angling – dark house shelter (r) – Code 119 | $15.00 |
| Angling – individual (r) – Code 111 | $25.00 |
| Angling – military (r) | None |
| Angling – Netting white tulibee herring (r) – Code 115 | $10.00 |
| Angling – spearing from dark house (r) – Code 113 | $6.00 |
| Angling Dark House 3 Year Rental (r) – Code 132 | $87.00 |
| Angling Dark House 3 Year – Code 131 | $42.00 |
| Angling Youth Ages 16 to 17 – Code 138 (r) | $5.00 |
| Conservation combo angling (r) – Code 106 | $27.00 |
| Conservation individual angling (r) – Code 105 | $17.00 |
| Disability permit – angling/spearing permanent (r) | None |
| Disability permit – angling/spearing special annual (r) – Code 107 | None |
| Fishing tournament license | Varies |
| Lifetime angling renewal (r) – Code 411 | None |
| Lifetime Resident Angling, Deer, Small Game, Sports, Spearing | Varies |
| Sports – combination (r) – Code 217 | $57.00 |
| Sports – individual (r) – Code 216 | $41.00 |
| Stamp – trout (validation & pictorial) – Code 129 | $10.75 |
| Stamp – trout validation – Code 128 | $10.00 |
| Stamp – walleye pictorial- voluntary – Code 135 | $5.75 |
| Stamp – walleye validation- voluntary – Code 134 | $5.00 |
| Stamps (collectable) | Varies |
| Sturgeon tag (r) – Code 130 | $5.00 |
| Super Sports Combination – Code 143 | $126.00 |
| Super Sports Individual – Code 142 | $100.00 |
Non-residents include anyone who does not meet the definition of a resident.
Non-residents under 16 may either fish under a parent or guardian’s license (including a family license) or must purchase a nonresident youth license.
If fishing under a family license or their own youth license, youth may possess their own limit; if fishing under a parent or guardian’s individual license, any fish kept are counted towards the parent’s possession limit.
| License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Angling – 14-day couple (nr) -Code 125 | $54.00 |
| Angling – 24-hour Code 139 (nr) | $14.00 |
| Angling – 7-day (nr)- Code 126 | $43.00 |
| Angling – 72-hour (nr)- Code 127 | $36.00 |
| Angling – family (nr) – Code 124 | $68.00 |
| Angling – individual (nr) – Code 121 | $51.00 |
| Angling – shelter (nr) – Code 116 | $37.00 |
| Angling – shelter 7-day (nr) – Code 117 | $21.00 |
| Angling – spearing from dark house (nr) – Code 118 | $17.00 |
| Angling – Youth Ages16 to 17 or Youth own limit (nr) – Code 205 | $5.00 |
| Lifetime angling renewal (nr) – Code 415 | None |
| Lifetime NR Angling/Small Game | Varies |
| Stamp – trout (validation & pictorial) – Code 129 | $10.75 |
| Stamp – trout validation – Code 128 | $10.00 |
| Stamp – walleye pictorial- voluntary – Code 135 | $5.75 |
| Stamp – walleye validation- voluntary – Code 134 | $5.00 |
| Stamps (collectable) | Varies |
| Sturgeon tag (nr) – Code 130 | $5.00 |
Anglers who meet certain qualifications can obtain a free license if they are:
In addition to standard fishing licenses, Minnesota offers special permits for specific fishing activities. These specialized licenses enhance fishing experiences, making Minnesota’s diverse fishing opportunities accessible to a broader audience. You can refer to the Resident and Non-Resident Fishing License tables for a complete list of available licenses.
You can buy your Minnesota fishing permit in one of several ways:
You can visit the DNR office and buy a physical copy of your license there. They offer personalized assistance and are especially useful for addressing any questions or concerns. Check the official website for a list of office locations.
Licenses also may be purchased by phone at 1-888-665-4236 (1-MN-LICENSE). You can call at any time of day or night, seven days a week. All purchases must be made by credit card. There is a 3% convenience fee for each phone transaction. For a license that is required to be mailed, the convenience fee is $1.50.
Get your license in the comfort of your own home with only a few clicks of your finger. Just log in to the Minnesota DNR website to purchase a fishing license online.
Licenses may also be purchased at approved vendors throughout the state, including buying a license at Walmart, local tackle shops, and sporting goods stores. A list is available here.
In Minnesota, fishing license fees primarily contribute to the management and conservation of the state’s fisheries and aquatic resources. These fees help fund various programs and initiatives aimed at maintaining sustainable fish populations, preserving aquatic habitats, and promoting responsible angling.
Yes, Minnesota has reciprocal fishing license agreements with neighboring states, such as Wisconsin, Iowa (see here for info on Iowa fishing licenses), North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. It does not include the waters of Lake Superior, which are not covered under border water rules.
In Canadian border waters, Minnesota residents or nonresidents fishing with a Minnesota nonresident license may only fish the Minnesota portion of the Canadian border waters. To fish the Canadian portion, you must have a Canadian license and need a Remote Access Border Crossing Permit.
In other border waters, Minnesota residents or nonresidents fishing with a Minnesota nonresident license may fish throughout the defined waters bordering the two states.
Minnesota fishing licenses will guarantee a lifetime’s fishing from the day you were born, with a sliding price scale. This is available to both residents and non-residents.
Lifetime Licenses need to be renewed every fishing season that starts from March 1 to February 28/29 the following year.
| Age Group | Fishing | Small Game | Sports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 and under | $344 | $223 | $522 |
| 4 to 15 | $469 | $301 | $710 |
| 16 to 50 | $574 | $430 | $927 |
| 51 and over | $379 | $274 | $603 |
First-time purchase of lifetime licenses is only available at the DNR License Center in St. Paul. Application forms are available online or through the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367. A lifetime license holder who is required by law to have a game and fish license must authorize their participation by obtaining an annual license renewal each year the lifetime license is used. These annual licenses are issued at no fee.
