In this article
Do You Need a Fishing License in Indiana?
Yes. Anyone 18 or older must have a license to fish public waters in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Fish & Wildlife issues all licenses.
Residents under 18 fish free. Non-residents under 18 need to follow their home-state youth rules. Property owners fishing private lakes entirely on their own land are exempt.
Lake Michigan salmon and trout, and steelhead in tributary streams, require an additional Trout/Salmon Stamp on top of the basic license.
How Much Does an Indiana Fishing License Cost in 2026?
Resident annual fishing license: $17. Resident senior (65+) annual: $3. Non-resident annual: $35. Non-resident 1-day: $9. Non-resident 7-day: $20.
Trout/Salmon Stamp: $11 (required for trout/salmon in Lake Michigan and tributaries). Annual hunt/fish combo for residents: $25.
Lifetime resident license: $217. Disabled American Veterans get free annual licenses. Active-duty Indiana resident military fish free while on leave.
Where to Buy an Indiana Fishing License
Online at in.gov/dnr is the fastest option. Licenses generate immediately as digital documents or printable PDFs and can be shown on your phone.
License vendors include Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Gander Outdoors, most Walmart locations, and hundreds of independent bait shops. Look for the DNR license agent sign.
DNR property offices at state parks and fish hatcheries sell licenses, as do all DNR district offices including Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Mishawaka.
Free Fishing Days in Indiana
Indiana DNR holds three Free Fishing Days each year. In 2026 they fall on Sunday May 17, Saturday June 6, and Saturday September 26. No license required on these days.
All Indiana residents and non-residents can fish public waters license-free, though bag and size limits still apply.
DNR also offers a Free Fishing Day at every state park with a fishable lake several times a year, and many state-stocked trout streams hold license-free events around opening day.
Key Indiana Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 14-inch minimum and 5-fish daily limit statewide. Many reservoirs including Patoka Lake and Lake Monroe have stricter slot rules.
Walleye, sauger, and saugeye combined limit is 6 with a 14-inch minimum. The Ohio River has specific rules harmonized with Kentucky.
Trout limit on inland streams is 5 with an 18-inch minimum for brown trout. Lake Michigan salmon and trout limit is 5 combined. Steelhead season runs September through May.
Best Fishing Spots in Indiana
Lake Michigan from Hammond to Michigan City produces coho, king salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. The Trail Creek and Little Calumet River tributaries hold steelhead from fall through spring.
Lake Monroe near Bloomington is Indiana's largest inland lake and the state's top destination for striped bass and crappie. Patoka Lake is famous for largemouth and crappie.
Brookville Reservoir on the Ohio border holds the state walleye record. The Tippecanoe River near Winamac produces smallmouth bass and northern pike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident annual is $17, non-resident annual is $35. Seniors 65+ pay $3. Non-resident short-term licenses are $9 for 1 day or $20 for 7 days.
Sunday May 17, Saturday June 6, and Saturday September 26. No license required on those days, but size and bag limits still apply to all species.
Yes. A Trout/Salmon Stamp ($11) is required to fish for trout or salmon in Lake Michigan, its tributaries, or any inland trout stream. It's in addition to your base license.
No. Indiana residents under 18 fish free. Non-residents under 18 follow their home state's youth license rules. All youth must observe bag and size limits.
Buy online at in.gov/dnr for instant delivery, or visit Bass Pro, Cabela's, Walmart, or any DNR-licensed vendor. State park offices and fish hatcheries also sell licenses.
Five largemouth or smallmouth bass combined daily with a 14-inch minimum statewide. Some reservoirs like Patoka and Monroe have stricter slot or size rules.