NH Fishing Seasons & Fees
Need a Fishing Guide: NH Guides
License Info - A general hunting, fishing or archery license is not required for minors under 16 years of age. Minors are however required to purchase the following special licenses: Broodstock Salmon, Special Archery Deer, Turkey Permit, Bear License and Unit M special Deer tag. Non-resident minors under the age of 16 are also required to purchase a muzzleloader license. Minors are not required to pay a Wildlife Habitat Fee or file a Harvest Information Survey (H.I.P).
Saltwater Fishing: A license is NOT REQUIRED for fishing in saltwater unless taking any species of trout, salmon, smelt or shad in any state waters or while fishing through the ice in Great Bay or its tributaries.
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Fishing Seasons
A synopsis of New Hampshire’s fishing seasons
Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout & their Hybrids
- Rivers & Streams: January – October
- Wild Trout Streams: January – Labor Day
- Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15
- Wild Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – Labor Day
- Lake Trout &/or Salmon Waters: January 1 – September 30
- All Other Waters: No closed season
Lake Trout
- All Waters: January 1 – September 30
Landlocked Salmon
- 4th Saturday in April – September 30 (Pleasant Lake, New London)
- All Other Waters: April 1 – September 30
Atlantic Salmon Brood Stock Fishery (along the Merrimack and lower Pemigewasset rivers)
- Catch & Release October 1 – March 31
- 1 Fish/Day, 5 Fish/Season April 1 – September 30
NOTE: A special permit is required to participate in this specialized fishery (click here to purchase online for $11). Additional restrictions apply. Click here for information and a map of access points.
Largemouth Bass & Smallmouth Bass
- Rivers & Streams: January 1 – October 15; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15
- Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15
- All Other Waters: No closed season; Catch & Release May 15 – June 15
Rainbow Smelt: See the current N.H. Freshwater Fishing Digest
All Other Species
- Rivers & Streams: January 1 – October 15
- Trout Ponds: 4th Saturday in April – October 15
- All Other Waters: No closed season
Information provided by NH Fish & Game |
Resident Hunting & Fishing Licenses
| License type |
Annual fee
N.H. RESIDENT
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Annual fee
NONRESIDENT
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| Fishing |
$35.00
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$53.00
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| 1 Day Fishing |
$10.00
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$15.00
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| 3-day Fishing |
N/A
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$28.00
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| 7-day Fishing |
N/A
|
$35.00
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| Hunting** |
$22.00
|
$103.00
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| Hunting/Fishing Combination** |
$46.00
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$141.00
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| Salmon Permit |
$11.00
|
$11.00
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| Clam |
$30.00
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N/A
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| Oyster |
$30.00
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N/A
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| Archery |
$22.00
|
$73.00
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| Special Deer Archery |
$16.00
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$16.00
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| Muzzleloader |
$16.00
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$41.00
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| Pheasant |
$26.00
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$26.00
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| Bear |
$16.00
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$48.00
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| Wild Turkey Permit (spring & fall) |
$16.00
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$31.00
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| Migratory Waterfowl |
$5.00
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$5.00
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| Small-game Hunting** |
N/A
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$53.00
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| Small-game 3-day** |
N/A
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$25.00
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** Does not include annual habitat fee of $2.50 |
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Information provided by the NH Fish & Game
New Hampshire Fish and Game Home Page
