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Do You Need a Fishing License in New Hampshire?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a fishing license from New Hampshire Fish and Game to fish any public freshwater. Children under 16 fish free with no registration required.
Saltwater anglers 16 and older need a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License, which is free but requires registration through New Hampshire Fish and Game.
New Hampshire does not require a separate trout stamp, but lake trout and salmon waters have specific regulations and slot limits that must be followed.
How Much Does a New Hampshire Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual fishing license costs $45. Non-residents pay $63 for the annual license. A non-resident 1-day license is $15, 3-day is $28, and 7-day is $35.
Resident senior citizens (68+) qualify for a free Senior Pass that covers both hunting and fishing for life. The Senior Pass costs $7 as a one-time fee.
The Recreational Saltwater Fishing License is free for both residents and non-residents but must be registered annually. Disabled veterans and active-duty military residents fish free.
Where to Buy a New Hampshire Fishing License
Buy online at nhfishandgame.com. Licenses print instantly or download to the New Hampshire Outdoors mobile app for digital storage.
License agents include Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kittery Trading Post, and over 200 bait shops and town clerks statewide. New Hampshire Fish and Game headquarters in Concord also issues licenses.
Saltwater licenses are issued through nhsaltwater.com. Both freshwater and saltwater registrations are free to register but the saltwater one is mandatory for coastal anglers.
New Hampshire Free Fishing Day 2026
New Hampshire offers one free fishing day each year. In 2026, residents and non-residents can fish all public freshwater without a license on Saturday, June 6.
All other regulations apply during free fishing day, including bag limits, length limits, and species closures. Trout-specific regulations on the Connecticut River and other named waters still apply.
Saltwater registration is still required during free fishing day for coastal anglers, but it remains free year-round through New Hampshire Fish and Game.
New Hampshire Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Brook trout daily limit is 5 in most streams with no length minimum, but designated wild trout streams have catch-and-release rules. Lake trout limit is 2 daily on Lake Winnipesaukee with a 15-inch minimum.
Landlocked salmon limit is 2 daily on Lake Winnipesaukee, Newfound Lake, and other big lakes, with a 15-inch minimum. Bass have a 12-inch minimum and 5-fish daily limit statewide.
Saltwater regulations include striped bass (28 to less than 31-inch slot, 1-fish daily) and bluefish (3 daily). Cusk and Atlantic cod have specific federal and state rules — check NH Fish and Game annually.
Best Fishing Spots in New Hampshire
Lake Winnipesaukee is the state's premier lake trout and landlocked salmon water, with the official 'Winni Derby' each January through ice fishing season.
Newfound Lake holds wild lake trout and salmon in clear deep water. Squam Lake offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing with limited boat traffic.
The Androscoggin River below Errol holds wild rainbows and brook trout. The Connecticut River and its tributaries hold trout, smallmouth, and walleye. Hampton Harbor produces striped bass and bluefish through summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual license is $45. Non-residents pay $63 annually, $35 for 7 days, $28 for 3 days, or $15 for 1 day. Saltwater registration is free.
Yes. Saltwater anglers 16+ must register for a free Recreational Saltwater Fishing License through New Hampshire Fish and Game. It is free but mandatory.
New Hampshire's 2026 free fishing day is Saturday, June 6. No freshwater license is required, but all size limits, bag limits, and species closures apply.
Buy online at nhfishandgame.com, through the NH Outdoors app, or at Walmart, Dick's, Kittery Trading Post, and 200+ bait shops and town clerks statewide.
Residents 68 and older qualify for a $7 one-time Senior Pass that covers hunting and fishing for life. Non-resident seniors pay full license price.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 12-inch minimum length and a combined 5-fish daily limit statewide. Some waters have catch-and-release-only rules.