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Do I need a fishing license in Idaho?
Idaho's license age rule, quoted from Idaho Department of Fish and Game (rule set by Idaho Code § 36-401), checked against your age and residency, plus its free fishing days.
The rule in Idaho
Residents 14 and older need a license. Nonresidents 14 and older need a license.
"For children under the age of fourteen (14) years who are residents of this state to fish during the open season therefor."
"For nonresident children under the age of fourteen (14) years to fish during the open season therefor provided they are accompanied by the holder of a valid fishing license, and provided further that any fish caught by such nonresident children shall be included in the bag and possession limit of such license holder."
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (rule set by Idaho Code § 36-401). Section 36-401: Idaho State Legislature, checked October 2026.
Fishing License CheckIdaho
It depends on your age.
The rule
Residents 14 and older need a license.
"For children under the age of fourteen (14) years who are residents of this state to fish during the open season therefor."
Source: Section 36-401: Idaho State Legislature, checked October 2026.
Exemptions
"For children under the age of eighteen (18) years who are residents of a licensed foster home or a children’s residential care facility to fish during the open season therefor, provided they are accompanied and supervised by the director, officer, or other employee of the facility where the child resides."
"State Long-term Care Facility Residents. For any resident of a state long-term care facility to fish during open seasons, provided said state long-term care facility has a permit therefor from the director."
"Participants in Fish and Game Sponsored Functions. For persons who are official participants in attendance at official department sponsored functions including clinics, courses or other educational events, while under the supervision of a department approved instructor for the function, to fish during any open season, provided that the instructor has been issued an educational fishing permit by the director."
A guide to each state's published rule, not legal advice. Rules change; the linked page is the authority.
- Each state's own rule, quoted
- Residents and visitors
- Free fishing days by date
Fishing in Idaho
19 guides, charters and outfitters listed in Idaho.
By state
Fishing license rules by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common questions
Fishing license questions
Residents 14 and older need a license. Nonresidents 14 and older need a license. Source: Section 36-401: Idaho State Legislature.
It depends on the state. Across the 48 states we have checked, a resident needs one from age 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 depending on the state. Nonresidents often start at a different age. Pick your state in the tool for its exact rule, quoted from the state's own page.
A day or weekend when the state lets anyone fish without a license. 41 of the states we have checked publish them. The next ones: New York, Nov 11, 2026; Oregon, Nov 27 to 28, 2026; North Dakota, Dec 26 to 27, 2026. Size, bag and season limits still apply.
In some coastal states, yes; in others the same license covers both, or saltwater anglers sign a free registry instead. Pick a coastal state in the tool to see its own wording.
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and links every answer to the state page it comes from. Always read the state's current rules before you fish.
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