New Hampshire has eighteen miles of coast and prices its saltwater licence accordingly: eleven dollars, and the same eleven dollars whether you live there or not. That is the rare licence where a visitor pays exactly what a resident does. The freshwater licence, by contrast, runs forty-five dollars for a resident, which is where the state puts its money.
What it costs
Set your situation for the exact saltwater figure. Switching to fresh water here shows what the other licence would cost instead.
Every New Hampshire saltwater fee
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational saltwater | Resident | Annual | $11.00 |
| Recreational saltwater | Visitor | Annual | $11.00 |
| Clam, ages 6-67 | Resident | Annual | $30.00 |
| Oyster, ages 6-67 | Resident | Annual | $30.00 |
Fees verified against NHFG on 2026-09-11.
What it covers, and what it does not
The recreational saltwater licence covers the Atlantic and the tidal waters off the Hampton and Portsmouth coast. It does not cover the inland lakes and rivers, and it does not cover clams or oysters, which need their own licences at thirty dollars each.
For the freshwater side of the state, and for the combination options where they exist, see the full New Hampshire licence page.
Where to use it
We track 2 saltwater waters in New Hampshire daily, with live tides and conditions:
Questions
How much is a saltwater fishing licence in New Hampshire?
$11.00 for a resident and $11.00 for a visitor, for an annual licence. Short-term options cost less and are listed in the table above.
Does a New Hampshire freshwater licence cover salt water?
No. New Hampshire sells them as separate licences, so a freshwater licence gives you no cover on the coast. Fishing both means two licences, or the combined option where the state offers one.
Do visitors pay more for a New Hampshire saltwater licence?
No. It is $11.00 for everyone, resident or not, which is unusual and makes a coastal day trip cheap.
Does the saltwater licence cover clamming in New Hampshire?
No. Clam and oyster licences are separate, $30.00 each for residents aged 6 to 67.