Resident, non-resident, and short-term fishing license prices for Nevada — 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
A Nevada resident annual fishing license costs $40.00. Non-residents pay $80.00 for the same annual license.
Nevada fishing licenses run for a full 365 days from purchase rather than a fixed calendar — the result of a 2018 "license simplification" that scrapped the old March-to-February license year and folded roughly 40 separate license options, including the trout and second-rod stamps, down into just four license classes. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $40.00 | $80.00 | Resident annual adult |
| 1-Day | $9.00 | $18.00 | Short-term option |
| Native American Resident License | $10.00 | N/A | See notes below |
| Youth (Under 16) | Free | Free | Most states exempt young anglers |
Nevada offers an annual resident specialty combination hunting and fishing license for $10 to any resident Native American — a specific pricing category most states' fee schedules don't include at all.
In most Nevada waters, only anglers 12 and older need a license — both residents and non-residents. That threshold is younger than the typical 15 or 16 cutoff used in many other states, meaning more kids fish free in Nevada by default.
These are Nevada'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout (Western Region, statewide default) | Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 | No statewide min. | 5/day |
| Bass (Largemouth/Smallmouth, combined) | Year-round, statewide default | No statewide min. (some waters 12") | 6/day combined |
In addition to the official state portal linked above, Nevada 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 adult license costs $40.00. Non-residents pay $80.00.
Yes, a combination hunting and fishing license is available for $10 to any resident Native American.
Age 12. Kids under 12 don't need a license but must still follow fishing rules.
Yes, a Senior Specialty Combination License is available for $15 to qualifying residents.
Online through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) licensing system at ndow.org.