North Dakota adds a small certificate to every licence, two dollars for residents and five for visitors, so the price on the shelf is never quite the price you pay. Beyond that the structure is refreshingly plain, and the married-couple licence at forty-two dollars is well under two singles. Devils Lake and the Missouri River system carry the state, and one licence covers both.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every North Dakota fishing fee
The licence year runs 1 April to 31 March.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-day fishing | Visitor | 3 days | $48.00 |
| Ten-day fishing | Visitor | 10 days | $58.00 |
| Senior citizen fishing, 65 and over | Resident | Annual | $10.00 |
| Totally or permanently disabled | Resident | Annual | $10.00 |
| Veteran with 50 per cent service-related disability | Resident | Annual | $10.00 |
| Veteran combined hunting | Resident | Annual | $10.00 |
| Fishing licence, 16 and over | Resident | Annual | $27.00 |
| Married couple fishing | Resident | Annual | $42.00 |
| Combination licence, 16 and over | Resident | Annual | $62.00 |
| Individual season fishing, 16 and over | Visitor | Annual | $68.00 |
| Married couple season fishing | Visitor | Annual | $108.00 |
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the North Dakota extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Paddlefish tag | $35.00 for visitors. A regular fishing licence is required as well. | $15.00 |
Who fishes free in North Dakota
- Anglers 15 and under.
- North Dakota residents on military leave.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekend.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
North Dakota Game and Fish Department sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official NDGF licensing page →
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 14 North Dakota waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Devils Lake — Ramsey County
- Lake Sakakawea — Dunn County
- Lake Ashtabula — Barnes County
- Lake Tschida — Grant County
- Lake Audubon — McLean County
- Lake Metigoshe — Bottineau County
- Missouri River — Burleigh County
- Lake Darling — Ward County
- Jamestown Reservoir — Stutsman County
- Sheyenne River — Cass County
- Pipestem Reservoir — Stutsman County
- Nelson Lake — Oliver County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in North Dakota?
$29.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $73.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in North Dakota?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a North Dakota fishing licence online?
Yes. North Dakota Game and Fish Department sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
What is the North Dakota fishing certificate?
A compulsory $2.00 certificate for residents, $5.00 for visitors, bought alongside every licence. Our prices include it.
Is the married couple licence cheaper in North Dakota?
Yes: $42.00 for the pair against $54.00 for two individual resident licences.