Maine fishing license costs
These are the 2026 fees published by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Agent fees may apply when you buy through a retailer. Confirm the final amount on the official Maine fishing license page before purchasing.
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Key details |
| Season fishing (age 16+) | $30 | $83 | Runs from purchase through December 31. |
| 1-day fishing | $18 | $18 | Same fee for residents and nonresidents. |
| 3-day fishing | $30 | $30 | Covers a 72-hour period specified on the license. |
| 7-day fishing | Not available | $62 | Nonresident option for a week-long trip. |
| 15-day fishing | Not available | $66 | Nonresident option, only $4 more than the 7-day. |
| Combination fishing and hunting | $48 | Not listed | Eligible residents. |
| Combination fishing and archery | $48 | Not listed | Eligible residents. |
| Serviceman and dependent licenses | $3 (serviceman combination), $20 (dependent combination), $10 (dependent fishing) | Not listed | Reduced-price options for eligible applicants. |
A resident season license costs $30, and a nonresident season license costs $83. The 1-day and 3-day licenses cost the same for everyone, so the difference between residents and visitors only shows up on the season license.
Short-term licenses: 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and 15-day
Short licenses make sense if you’re visiting for a trip instead of fishing all year. Maine offers 1-day and 3-day licenses to residents and nonresidents, and longer options to nonresidents.
The 3-day license costs $30 and runs on a 72-hour clock that you set. That means you choose when it starts. Look at the Fishbox forecast first and start the clock on the best stretch of weather, not on the day you arrive.
The 7-day license costs $62 for 2026, well below the $83 season fee. If your trip is longer than a week, the 15-day license at $66 is the better deal. Maine is a big state with long drives between waters, so a longer license rewards fishing close to where you’re staying. The map in Fishbox shows which lakes and rivers cluster near your base, so you spend your days fishing instead of driving.
Maine saltwater fishing
Saltwater fishing has its own registration system, and a standard inland license isn’t automatically required just because you’re on the coast.
Depending on the species and activity, you may need to register with Maine’s recreational saltwater fishing program, and some fisheries have federal or state rules on top of that. If you’re fishing from a pier, the shore, or a boat, check the requirements for your target species first.
Maine lifetime fishing licenses
A lifetime license suits anglers who expect to fish for many years. Maine offers lifetime licenses to residents and nonresidents, with prices set by age at purchase.
| Applicant age | Resident (fishing only) | Nonresident (fishing only) |
| 5 and under | $150 | $450 |
| 6-15 | $300 | $900 |
| 65 | $50 | Not listed |
| 66 | $40 | Not listed |
| 67 | $30 | Not listed |
| 68 | $20 | Not listed |
| 69 | $10 | Not listed |
| 70 and older | $8 (eligible senior lifetime privileges) | Not listed |
Maine fishing license age requirements
Anyone aged 16 or older needs a valid license to fish Maine’s inland waters or transport fish taken from them. Anglers under 16 can generally fish inland waters without one.
Even when no license is required, size limits, daily bag limits, seasonal restrictions, and rules for individual waters still apply. Keep your license with you while fishing or transporting fish. Maine accepts an electronic license displayed on a device.
Where to buy a Maine fishing license
You can buy online, from an authorized agent, or at the MDIFW office in Augusta.
Online
- Visit the official Maine fishing license page.
- Open the online purchasing portal.
- Choose resident or nonresident.
- Select the license type and duration.
- Complete the purchase and keep your license available while fishing.
If you’re visiting from another state, double-check that you chose the nonresident option, especially for a short-term license.
In person
Licenses are sold at participating sporting goods stores, convenience stores, town clerks, and turnpike service centers, as well as the Augusta office. Not every town clerk issues nonresident licenses, so check before making a special trip.
When does a Maine fishing license expire?
Maine licenses run on the calendar year, from the date of purchase through December 31. Short-term licenses are valid for the period shown on the license. That means a season license bought in the fall has only a few weeks left, so check the new-year license dates before buying late in the year.
Maine free fishing days
Maine holds Free Fishing Days twice a year. In 2026 they were February 14-15 and May 30-31. On those days, eligible anglers can fish without a license, though all other fishing laws and regulations still apply. Check the official state site for the 2027 dates and any exceptions.
The February weekend falls in the middle of winter, so dress and plan for the cold. Whether you’re ice fishing or just trying a nearby pond for the first time, pick a spot close to home in Fishbox and look at the weather for both days. Cold and wind decide a February outing more than anything else.
Maine commercial fishing licenses
A commercial license is a different thing from a recreational inland license. Commercial fishing may require specific licenses, permits, or endorsements depending on the species, gear, and operation. For example, harvesting marine species for sale may require a license from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, not MDIFW. A recreational license doesn’t authorize you to harvest fish for sale.
Got your license? Mind the distance
Maine fishing is as much about distance as water. Lakes, rivers, ponds, and coast are spread across a very large state, and a great spot two hours away is a different trip from a decent one fifteen minutes from your door.
Fishbox puts the spots near you on one map with the forecast beside them, so you can weigh what’s close against what’s worth the drive.