Massachusetts Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
How much is a fishing license in Massachusetts (MA)?
A resident annual Massachusetts fishing license costs $45.00, and a non-resident (out-of-state) annual license is $55.00. Saltwater fishing also needs a separate stamp ($10.00). Massachusetts also offers short-term day passes for out-of-state visitors and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
How does Massachusetts compare? See the 2026 fishing license cost by state price index.
🎫 Buy a Massachusetts Fishing License →Fishing in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is defined by Cape Cod and the Islands. Striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and bonito blitz the beaches and rips, while cod, haddock and tautog fill the boats inshore and offshore. Freshwater ponds and the Quabbin Reservoir add largemouth, trout, lake trout and landlocked salmon. Saltwater anglers sign up through the state's permit registry, and the striper migration sets the rhythm of the whole coastal season.
Massachusetts Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$45.00
$40 base + mandatory $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp (first resident license each year). MassWildlife offices add no fee; online adds $2.75/license + 4.95% (≈ $50).
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$55.00
$50 base + $5 Wildlands stamp (mandatory on all non-resident licenses). Online ≈ $60.
Non-Resident 3-Day
Freshwater
$35.50
$30.50 base + $5 Wildlands stamp. Online ≈ $40.
Senior (70+)
FreeMA residents 70+ fish free. Residents 65–69 pay a reduced $20 freshwater license.
Youth (under 15)
FreeMA prints base license fees; a mandatory $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp is added to the first resident license of the year and to all non-resident licenses (included in the prices above). MassWildlife/DMF offices charge no service fee; online and retail channels add fees.
✅ Prices verified September 2026 from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Massachusetts fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Massachusetts. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 15 do not need a license. Anglers under 15 need no freshwater fishing license. Residents 15–17 must carry a license, but it is issued FREE; non-residents 15–17 pay $8.00.
- Seniors (65+)
- Residents 65–69 buy a reduced $20.00 freshwater fishing license; residents 70 and older get it FREE. Anglers 60 and older, resident or not, also get the saltwater fishing permit free.
- Anglers with disabilities
- FREE freshwater fishing license for Massachusetts residents who are blind (Certificate of Blindness from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind), have an intellectual disability, or have paraplegia (physician certification). First-time applicants apply by mail to MassWildlife; renewals can then be done online. Anglers who meet the definition of a disabled person in M.G.L. c. 19C need no saltwater permit.
- Veterans & military
- Massachusetts publishes no veteran-specific fishing-license discount or waiver. Active-duty U.S. armed-forces members stationed in Massachusetts may buy resident licenses. A veteran who is blind, intellectually disabled or paraplegic qualifies for the free license under the disability rule.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- Massachusetts holds a Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend on the first weekend in June, when no license is required to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream or river, from 12 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. In 2026 it was June 6–7, and May 10 and June 21, 2026 were Free Saltwater Fishing Days. All 2026 dates have passed and MassWildlife has not yet published 2027 dates. All other regulations, including catch limits, still apply.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified September 2026.
Saltwater & beach fishing in Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires a separate saltwater stamp ($10.00) for saltwater fishing. Recreational saltwater permit required for anglers 16–59 ($10); anglers 60+ free, under 16 exempt, and passengers on a licensed for-hire vessel are covered by the vessel permit. For saltwater, anglers under 16 need no permit.
Where to buy a Massachusetts fishing license
Online (cheapest): buy directly from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife — that’s the cheapest option, with no third-party markup.
In person: most sporting goods retailers (Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Walmart) and many tackle shops in Massachusetts also sell licenses.
Massachusetts Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Massachusetts species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped BassSaltwater slot 28–31 inches; confirm current rule | 1 | 28" | Varies |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth BassStatewide general limit | 5 | 12" | Year-round |
| TroutStatewide general limit | 3 | No limit | Year-round (stocked) |
| CodFederally managed — check current recreational rule | No limit | No limit | Varies |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Massachusetts Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Massachusetts?
A resident annual fishing license in Massachusetts costs $45.00, and a non-resident (out-of-state) annual license costs $55.00. Massachusetts also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
How much is an out-of-state fishing license in Massachusetts?
An out-of-state (non-resident) annual fishing license in Massachusetts costs $55.00. For a shorter trip, Massachusetts also sells 3-Day licenses. Buy online from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife before you fish.
Do you need a fishing license in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 15 are exempt. Residents 65–69 buy a reduced $20.00 freshwater fishing license; residents 70 and older get it FREE. Anglers 60 and older, resident or not, also get the saltwater fishing permit free. Always confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife before you fish.
Do you need a saltwater stamp to fish in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts requires a separate saltwater stamp or endorsement for saltwater fishing, which costs $10.00 on top of the regular license. Recreational saltwater permit required for anglers 16–59 ($10); anglers 60+ free, under 16 exempt, and passengers on a licensed for-hire vessel are covered by the vessel permit.
Where do you buy a Massachusetts fishing license?
Buy directly from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Massachusetts.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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