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Do You Need a Fishing License in Massachusetts?
Yes. Anyone 15 or older fishing in Massachusetts freshwater needs a license from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife).
Saltwater anglers 16 and older need a separate Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit, issued through the Division of Marine Fisheries. The freshwater and saltwater permits are not interchangeable.
Massachusetts residents 70 and older receive a free freshwater license. Blind anglers, paraplegics, and members of the Armed Forces on leave also qualify for free or discounted licenses.
How Much Does a Massachusetts Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual freshwater fishing license costs $27.50. Nonresidents pay $37.50 for an annual license or $26.50 for a 3-day nonresident license.
Residents 65 to 69 pay $16.25 for a discounted annual license.
The saltwater fishing permit costs $10 for both residents and nonresidents. Anglers 60 and older qualify for a free saltwater permit but must still register annually.
| License or permit | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Resident annual freshwater | $27.50 |
| Resident (65-69) annual freshwater | $16.25 |
| Nonresident annual freshwater | $37.50 |
| Nonresident 3-day freshwater | $26.50 |
| Saltwater permit (resident or nonresident) | $10 |
| Saltwater permit (60+) | Free |
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Fishing License in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires a freshwater fishing license starting at age 15, and a separate recreational saltwater permit starting at age 16. Anglers 15 to 17 receive a free freshwater license but must complete the MassFishHunt registration, and anglers under 15 need no freshwater license at all.
Where to Buy a Massachusetts Fishing License
Buy online through MassFishHunt (opens in a new tab). The system prints your license instantly and lets you store a digital copy on your phone.
In-person sales happen at over 500 license agents, including Bass Pro Shops in Foxborough, Dick's Sporting Goods, and most town clerks. MassWildlife district offices in Westborough, Belchertown, Bourne, Dalton, and Ayer also sell licenses.
The saltwater permit is sold separately through the Massachusetts Saltwater Permit website (opens in a new tab).
Massachusetts Free Fishing Days 2026
Massachusetts offers two free freshwater fishing days each year. In 2026, no license is required on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week.
All other regulations still apply during free fishing days, including bag limits, size limits, and species restrictions. Trout, bass, and pickerel rules remain in effect.
The saltwater permit is required year-round and is not waived during free fishing days.
Massachusetts Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 12-inch minimum length and a 5-fish daily limit combined. Trout have no minimum size but a daily limit of 3 in most waters, 8 in stocked streams during early season.
Striped bass in saltwater require a slot limit of 28 to less than 31 inches, with a 1-fish daily limit. Bluefish daily limit is 3 fish for shore anglers, 5 for for-hire vessels.
Catch-and-release-only sections exist on the Swift River, Deerfield River, and parts of the Quashnet River. Always check MassWildlife's current freshwater fishing guide before fishing new water.
Best Fishing Spots in Massachusetts
Quabbin Reservoir is the state's premier trout and landlocked salmon water. Wachusett Reservoir holds trophy smallmouth bass and lake trout. Both require special boating rules.
The Deerfield River offers world-class trout fishing for rainbows and browns. The Swift River below Quabbin runs cold year-round and is a fly angler's destination.
For saltwater, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, and the Cape Cod Canal produce striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore from May through October.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual freshwater license is $27.50. Nonresidents pay $37.50 annually or $26.50 for 3 days. The saltwater permit costs $10 separately.
Yes. Anglers 16 and older need a Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit, sold separately from the freshwater license through the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Yes. June 6 and June 7, 2026 are free freshwater fishing days. Residents 70 and older fish free year-round, and anglers 60 and older get a free saltwater permit.
Buy online at mass.gov/massfishhunt. The MassFishHunt system issues your license instantly and stores a digital copy you can show on your phone.
Anglers under 15 do not need a license. Those 15 to 17 must register for a free youth license through MassFishHunt before fishing.
The combined largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is 5 fish per day with a 12-inch minimum length. Some waters have catch-and-release-only regulations.