Non-resident annual licence cost comparison (Top 10)
Western states with extensive trout water and lower population densities charge the highest non-resident license premiums to fund hatchery programs.
Full comparative dataset
| State | Resident Annual | Non-Resident Annual | Non-Res 3-Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $38 | $102 | $44 |
| Alaska | $29 | $100 | $45 |
| Idaho | $30 | $98 | $42 |
| Montana | $31 | $91 | $38 |
| Washington | $30 | $84 | $36 |
| Texas | $30 | $58 | $24 |
| Pennsylvania | $22 | $53 | $28 |
| Minnesota | $25 | $51 | $23 |
| New York | $25 | $50 | $20 |
| Florida | $17 | $47 | $17 |
Methodology & data provenance
Our team surveyed every state wildlife department website between November 1 and November 20, 2026. Prices reflect basic freshwater sportfishing privileges for adult anglers (ages 16–64). Optional endorsement stamps (trout stamps, salmon cards, ocean enhancements) are excluded to ensure apples-to-apples parity.
How to cite this study
FishingScope Data Desk (2026). "What a Fishing Licence Costs in All 50 States (2027)". Published at https://fishingscope.com/research/fishing-license-costs-by-state/. Data released under CC BY 4.0.