Fishing in New York

Fishing in New York

New York is one of the deepest and most varied fisheries in the country. The Salmon River in Pulaski runs steelhead, kings, and cohos from Lake Ontario. The Niagara River produces trophy smallmouth and lake-run brown trout. The Finger Lakes hold lake trout, landlocked salmon, and trophy smallmouth. The Adirondacks shelter native brookies on hundreds of remote ponds. Long Island's waters give up striped bass, fluke, blackfish, and offshore tuna and shark. The Hudson runs stripers and Atlantic sturgeon.

License Types & Fees

LicenseFee
Resident Annual (16–69)$25.00
Resident Annual (70+)$5.00
Resident 7-Day$12.00
Resident 1-Day$5.00
Non-Resident Annual$50.00
Non-Resident 7-Day$28.00
Non-Resident 1-Day$10.00
Marine Recreational Fishing Registry

Required for saltwater

Free

Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website before purchasing.

Lifetime licenses are available to residents only, with fees varying by age band.

Log Your New York Catches

CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in New York.

Download on theApp Store

New York Fishing License FAQ

How much does a New York fishing license cost?

A resident annual (16–69) fishing license in New York costs $25.00. Fees vary by residency, age, and license type, see the full breakdown above for short-term, non-resident, and senior options.

Where can I buy a New York fishing license?

New York fishing licenses are sold online by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and are also available from authorized retailers, bait shops, and sporting goods stores across the state.

Who issues fishing licenses in New York?

Fishing licenses in New York are issued by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.