Resident, non-resident, and short-term fishing license prices for Indiana — plus the add-ons and rules that catch anglers off guard, and where to buy from the official state agency.
Written and fact-checked by Jordan Whitfield, Site Editor
An Indiana resident annual fishing license costs $23.00. Non-residents pay $60.00 for the same annual license.
Indiana ties its license exemption to an exact birth date rather than a rolling age: residents born before April 1, 1943 need no license at all, while everyone else fishing for trout or salmon must add an $11 electronically generated trout/salmon stamp on the state's April 1–March 31 license year. (Indiana DNR)
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $23.00 | $60.00 | Resident annual |
| 1-Day (incl. trout/salmon stamp) | $10.00 | $15.00 | Short-term option |
| Trout/Salmon Stamp (Annual) | $11.00 | $11.00 | See notes below |
| Youth (Under 16) | Free | Free | Most states exempt young anglers |
Indiana's annual license holders pay an extra $11 for a trout/salmon stamp if they want to target those species. The $10 (resident) or $15 (non-resident) 1-day license, by contrast, already has that stamp bundled in at no extra charge — a detail easy to miss when comparing day vs. annual pricing.
Indiana residents 65 and older pay just $3.00 for an annual license, versus the standard $23.00 resident rate — among the steeper senior discounts nationally, both in dollar terms and as a percentage off.
These are Indiana's default statewide season windows and bag/size limits for the most commonly targeted species. Many individual lakes, rivers, and reservoirs carry their own special regulations that override these defaults — always confirm the rules for your specific water before you fish.
| Species | Season | Min. Size | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass (Largemouth/Smallmouth, combined) | Year-round, statewide default | 14" min. (some lakes 18") | 5/day (10 possession) |
| Trout/Salmon (combined) | Year-round, statewide default (trout/salmon stamp required) | No statewide min. | 5/day |
| Walleye | Year-round, statewide default | 14" min. (south of SR 26); 16" min. (north of SR 26) | Varies by water |
In addition to the official state portal linked above, Indiana fishing licenses are typically available at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and Dick's Sporting Goods locations statewide, along with independent bait & tackle shops. Call ahead if you need a specific license type (combination, lifetime, or trout stamp) since not every retail counter carries every product.
A resident annual license costs $23.00. Non-residents pay $60.00 for the annual license, or $15.00 for a 1-day license.
Yes. Unlike the annual license, which requires an $11 stamp add-on, the 1-day license already includes trout/salmon stamp coverage.
Yes. Residents 65+ pay just $3.00 for an annual license.
April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Online through the Indiana DNR licensing portal, or at authorized vendors statewide.