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Do I need a fishing license in Montana?
Montana's license age rule, quoted from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, checked against your age and residency, plus its free fishing days.
The rule in Montana
Residents and nonresidents 12 and older need a license.
"A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters for anyone 12 or older."
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing Licenses & Permits: Montana FWP, checked October 2026.
Fishing License CheckMontana
It depends on your age.
The rule
Residents and nonresidents 12 and older need a license.
"A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters for anyone 12 or older."
Source: Fishing Licenses & Permits: Montana FWP, checked October 2026.
Seniors and exemptions
"Senior 62+ Resident Cost: $10.50"
"Free fishing license exemptions are available to qualified educational events and fishing clinics for a specific date and location."
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 Montana
40 guides, charters and outfitters listed in Montana.
By state
Fishing license rules by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- 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 and nonresidents 12 and older need a license. Source: Fishing Licenses & Permits: Montana FWP.
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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