To legally fish in Minnesota, all residents of Minnesota, age 16 to 89, must have a current Minnesota fishing license unless an exemption applies (see ‘Who doesn’t need a fishing license?’). You must carry your license when traveling from an area where you were fishing. All non-residents need a license except those age 15 and younger do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed.
Who doesn't need a fishing license?
ID number required:
Electronic License System (ELS) requires that Minnesota residents 21 years of age and older furnish a driver's license number, public safety identification number as proof of residency. Minnesota residents who do not have one of these identification numbers would be considered a non resident and must obtain one before purchasing a hunting, fishing or other license from the MN Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR).
Minnesota Residents are:
Stamps and Licenses:
The actual pictorial stamp is not required for waterfowl and pheasant hunting, trout and salmon fishing or for turkey hunting. Anglers or hunters are required to purchase the terminal-issued stamp endorsement. Pictorial stamp may be purchased for an additional $0.75.
See: 2023 Minnesota Fishing Regulations for more detailed information.
Contact the MN Dept. of Natural Resources Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or refer to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources information Fish Minnesota
See requirements or refer to Fishing licenses
Fishing licenses are valid March 1 through Feb. 28 of the following year.
Resident Licenses Fees
Angling - 24-hour Code 110 (r) $12.00
Angling - 3 year Individual - Code 141 (r) $71.00
Angling - 72 Hour - Code 140 (r) $14.00
Angling - combination (Married Couple) (r) - Code 112 $40.00
Angling - dark house rental (r) - Code 120 $30.00
Angling - dark house shelter (r) - Code 119 $15.00
Angling - individual (r) - Code 111 $25.00
Angling - Netting white tulibee herring (r) - Code 115 $10.00
Angling - spearing from dark house (r) - Code 113 $6.00
Angling Dark House 3 Year Rental (r) - Code 132 $87.00
Angling Dark House 3 Year - Code 131 $42.00
Angling Youth Ages 16 to 17 - Code 138 (r) $5.00
Conservation combo angling (r) - Code 106 $27.00
Conservation individual angling (r) - Code 105 $17.00
Disability permit - angling/spearing permanent (r) None
Disability permit - angling/spearing special annual (r) - Code 107 None
Lifetime angling renewal (r) - Code 411 None
Lifetime Resident Angling/Deer/Small Game/Sports/Spearing Varies
Sports - combination (r) - Code 217 $57.00
Sports - individual (r) - Code 216 $41.00
Stamp - trout (validation & pictorial) - Code 129 $10.75
Stamp - trout validation - Code 128 $10.00
Stamp - walleye pictorial- voluntary - Code 135 $5.75
Stamp - walleye validation- voluntary - Code 134 $5.00
Stamps (collectable) Varies
Sturgeon tag (r) - Code 130 $5.00
Super Sports Combination - Code 143 $126.00
Super Sports Individual - Code 142 $100.00
Non-Resident Licenses Fees
Angling - 14-day couple (nr) -Code 125 $54.00
Angling - 24-hour Code 139 (nr) $14.00
Angling - 7-day (nr)- Code 126 $43.00
Angling - 72-hour (nr)- Code 127 $36.00
Angling - family (nr) - Code 124 $68.00
Angling - individual (nr) - Code 121 $51.00
Angling - shelter (nr) - Code 116 $37.00
Angling - shelter 7-day (nr) - Code 117 $21.00
Angling - spearing from dark house (nr) - Code 118 $17.00
Angling - Youth Ages16 to 17 or Youth own limit (nr) - Code 205 $5.00
Lifetime angling renewal (nr) - Code 415 None
Lifetime NR Angling/Small Game Varies
Stamp - trout (validation & pictorial) - Code 129 $10.75
Stamp - trout validation - Code 128 $10.00
Stamp - walleye pictorial- voluntary - Code 135 $5.75
Stamp - walleye validation- voluntary - Code 134 $5.00
Stamps (collectable) Varies
Angling licenses are valid from March 1 through February 28 of the following year.
Online License Sales
PHONE:
Call 888-665-4236 (1-MN-LICENse), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
IN PERSON:
License agent searches, by county, may be made at Where to buy a license, then scroll down to Agents.
MAIL-IN applications:
Some licenses may be obtained by mail.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
License Center/Angling License
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155-4026