Colorado prices its licence at forty-four eighty-seven and then adds a Habitat Stamp that everyone buys once a year regardless of what else they hold, so the real figure is fifty-seven sixty-three. Visitors pay a hundred and thirty-six seventy-seven the same way. The Aquatic Nuisance Species stamp people also ask about is a boat charge, not an angler one: if you are wading or fishing from the bank it does not apply to you.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Colorado fishing fee
The licence year runs 1 April to 31 March.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| One day fishing Additional days $9.13 each. | Resident | 1 day | $18.07 |
| One day fishing Additional days $9.13 each. | Visitor | 1 day | $21.90 |
| Five day fishing | Visitor | 5 days | $41.04 |
| Senior annual fishing, 64 and over | Resident | Annual | $12.96 |
| Youth fishing, ages 16-17 | Resident | Annual | $12.96 |
| Senior small game and fishing combination | Resident | Annual | $38.03 |
| Adult annual fishing, ages 18-63 | Resident | Annual | $44.87 |
| Small game and fishing combination | Resident | Annual | $64.02 |
| Annual fishing, 16 and over | Visitor | Annual | $124.01 |
Prices changed: Search-and-rescue surcharge on every licence $0.25 to $1.25, the first change since 1987; base fees indexed to CPI. Old and new prices, the date and the law (in force, january 1, 2026 (licence year from march 1)).
Passing through? A visitor pays $34.66 for one day here, because the habitat stamp is compulsory with it, and the annual works out cheaper after 4 days. Compare every state's day licence.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Colorado extras on top of the base licence, as CPW lists them.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Second rod stamp | β | $14.24 |
| Aquatic nuisance species stamp | For motorboats and sailboats, not for the angler. $50.00 for out-of-state vessels. | $25.00 |
| Lifetime habitat stamp | β | $384.16 |
Visiting from out of state? What visitors pay in Colorado, with the annual-versus-short-term arithmetic.
Do you need a fishing licence in Colorado?
Yes, from age 16. Residents and visitors both need one from that birthday. What changes is the price, not the requirement.
$57.63 a year if you live in Colorado, $136.77 if you are visiting.
Who does not need one
- Anglers under 16.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekend.
Nobody needs a licence on Coloradoβs free fishing days: the dates for this year, and what the day does not waive.
How to buy it
Colorado Parks and Wildlife sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices.
Official CPW licensing page β
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 37 Colorado waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Eagle River β Eagle County
- Blue Mesa Reservoir β Gunnison County
- South Platte River (Deckers) β County
- Blue River (Silverthorne) β Summit County
- Antero Reservoir β Park County
- Pueblo Reservoir β Pueblo County
- Aurora Reservoir β Arapahoe County
- Gunnison River β Mesa County
- Taylor River β Gunnison County
- Big Thompson River β Weld County
- Roaring Fork River β Garfield County
- Clear Creek (Golden) β Jefferson County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Colorado?
$57.63 for a resident annual all waters licence and $136.77 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
Do you need a fishing license in Colorado?
Yes, from age 16, and it makes no difference whether you live there: residents and visitors both need one, they just pay different prices. $57.63 for a resident annual licence, $136.77 for a visitor. 2 exemptions apply, listed on this page.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Colorado?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though the other rules, bag limits and catch record cards included, still apply to them.
Can I buy a Colorado fishing licence online?
Yes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife sells online and through licence agents.
What does a Colorado fishing licence actually cost?
A resident adult pays $44.87 for the licence plus $12.76 for the Habitat Stamp: $57.63. The stamp is required once per person per year whatever licences you buy.
Do I need the ANS stamp to fish in Colorado?
Only if you are launching a motorboat or sailboat. The Aquatic Nuisance Species stamp is charged on the vessel, not the angler, so bank and wade fishers do not need it.