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Do You Need a Fishing License in Nevada?
Yes. Anyone 12 or older needs a fishing license from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to fish any public water in Nevada. Children under 12 fish free but count toward their parent's bag limit.
Nevada and California share reciprocal license agreements for Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River — anglers can use either state's license on those waters. Lake Mead is shared with Arizona under a similar agreement.
Nevada requires a separate Trout Stamp ($10) to possess trout. Use of multiple poles requires a $20 Second Rod Stamp.
How Much Does a Nevada Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual fishing license costs $40. The Trout Stamp adds $10. Non-residents pay $80 for the annual license plus $10 for the Trout Stamp.
Short-term options include a 1-day license ($18 resident, $23 non-resident) and additional days at $7 each. A 10-day Lake Mead-only license is $30 for non-residents.
Resident seniors 65+ pay $15 for the annual license. Disabled residents qualify for a free Pioneer License through NDOW. Active-duty military residents on leave qualify for free annual licenses.
Where to Buy a Nevada Fishing License
Buy online at ndowlicensing.com. Licenses issue instantly and are stored in the Nevada Hunt Fish mobile app for digital display on smartphones.
License agents include Sportsman's Warehouse in Reno and Las Vegas, Cabela's in Reno, Scheels in Sparks, and over 200 bait shops, marinas, and convenience stores near major lakes.
NDOW regional offices in Reno, Las Vegas, Elko, and Ely sell licenses in person. Call 775-688-1500 to purchase by phone.
Nevada Free Fishing Day 2026
Nevada offers one free fishing day each year. In 2026, residents and non-residents can fish without a license or Trout Stamp on Saturday, June 13.
All other regulations apply during free fishing day, including bag limits, size limits, and area-specific rules. Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Tahoe regulations remain in effect.
Free fishing day is a great chance to try Pyramid Lake's Lahontan cutthroat trout fishery or the Truckee River without committing to an out-of-state license.
Nevada Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Statewide trout limits are 5 daily with no length minimum on most waters. Pyramid Lake has special rules: 2-fish limit, 17 to 20-inch slot release, and barbless hooks only.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 6-fish combined daily limit and a 13-inch minimum on most waters. Stripers in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave have no size or daily limit due to overabundance.
Catfish daily limit is 10 statewide with no length minimum. Walleye in Rye Patch Reservoir have a 5-fish daily limit. Always check the NDOW Fishing Regulations Guide for water-specific rules.
Best Fishing Spots in Nevada
Pyramid Lake holds the largest Lahontan cutthroat trout in the world, with fish exceeding 20 pounds caught each year. The traditional fly-rodding from elevated ladders is iconic.
Lake Mead and Lake Mohave produce striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie year-round. Wild Horse Reservoir and South Fork Reservoir near Elko are top trout destinations in northeast Nevada.
Lake Tahoe holds trophy mackinaw (lake trout) up to 30 pounds. The Truckee River below Tahoe runs wild brown trout, while the Walker River system in western Nevada is a hidden trout gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual license is $40 plus a $10 Trout Stamp. Non-residents pay $80 annually plus the $10 stamp. A 1-day non-resident license is $23.
Yes. A $10 Trout Stamp is required to possess trout in Nevada. It applies to both residents and non-residents and is purchased with the fishing license.
Nevada's 2026 free fishing day is Saturday, June 13. No license or Trout Stamp is required, but all bag limits, size limits, and water-specific rules still apply.
Yes. Nevada and California have reciprocal agreements for Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River. Either state's license is valid on these shared waters.
Buy online at ndowlicensing.com or through the Nevada Hunt Fish app. Licenses issue instantly and can be displayed digitally on your smartphone.
Pyramid Lake has a 2-fish daily limit on Lahontan cutthroat, a 17 to 20-inch protected slot, and barbless hooks only. A tribal permit is also required.