Overview
New York has more than 7,500 lakes and ponds and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams for freshwater fishing. If you are age 16 or older, you need a fishing license to fish in most of New York's freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.
Guidance
A freshwater fishing license allows you to:
- Catch freshwater fish using angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, and tip-up methods
- Collect certain baitfish for personal use using approved gear
- Catch frogs by hand, spear, club, or hook
Who needs a license?
- Anyone 16 years of age or older
You do not need a freshwater fishing license if you are:
- Fishing on a licensed fishing preserve
- Fishing during Free Fishing Days
- Fishing at an approved Free Fishing Clinic
- A qualifying resident farmer fishing on farm property they occupy and cultivate
- A farm fish pond license holder fishing waters covered by that license
- A Native American fishing on reservation land
- A patient living at a qualifying U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility in New York
How To
Refer to this step-by-step process to get a fishing license online:
- Sign in or create an account
- Complete the application
- Save your DEC-LS confirmation number
- This is proof of your fishing license
- Print your license or have it mailed to you
Ready? Make sure you have:
- Driver license number or non-driver ID number, if applying for a resident license
- Credit or debit card
- Printer, if needed
Fees
| Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual valid one full year (365 days) from the date of purchase | $25 (ages 16-69) $5 (ages 70+) | $50 |
| 7-day | $12 | $28 |
| 1-day | $5 | $10 |
| Lifetime | $460 (ages 0-69) $65 (ages 70+) | NA |
Buy
Buy Online
Purchase your freshwater fishing license online.
Buy by Phone
Call 1-866-933-2257
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Buy in Person
Find a Sporting License Issuing Location near you.
Contact
Call us Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM