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Connecticut Fishing License: Cost and Where to Buy
A resident annual Connecticut fishing license costs $28 and a nonresident annual license $55, with a 3-day nonresident option at $8, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Here is who needs one, every license type and price, and where to buy it.
Prices
Connecticut fishing license prices
| License | Who | Covers | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Inland (18-64) | Resident | freshwater | calendar year | $28 |
| Resident Marine (18-64) | Resident | saltwater | calendar year | $10 |
| Resident All-Waters (18-64) | Resident | all | calendar year | $32 |
| Resident One-Day Marine (18-64) | Resident | saltwater | 1-day | $5 |
| Resident Inland (16-17) | Resident | freshwater | calendar year | $14 |
| Resident Marine (16-17) | Resident | saltwater | calendar year | $5 |
| Resident All-Waters (16-17) | Resident | all | calendar year | $16 |
| Nonresident Inland | Nonresident | freshwater | calendar year | $55 |
| Nonresident Inland 3-Day | Nonresident | freshwater | 3-day | $22 |
| Nonresident Marine | Nonresident | saltwater | calendar year | $15 |
| Nonresident Marine 3-Day | Nonresident | saltwater | 3-day | $8 |
| Nonresident All-Waters | Nonresident | all | calendar year | $63 |
| Trout and Salmon Stamp (resident 18+) | Resident | trout/salmon | calendar year | $5 |
| Trout and Salmon Stamp (resident 16-17) | Resident | trout/salmon | calendar year | $3 |
| Trout and Salmon Stamp (nonresident) | Nonresident | trout/salmon | calendar year | $5 |
Prices from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), checked October 2026. Some vendors add a small processing or agent fee. Prices change – confirm on the official license site before you buy.
Rules
Who needs a Connecticut fishing license
- Who needs one: Everyone 16 and older.
- Kids: Under 16 exempt (free Youth Fishing Passport available); ages 16-17 pay reduced fees (resident inland $14, marine $5, all-waters $16).
- Seniors: Residents 65+ get inland and marine licenses free (must renew annually).
- Saltwater: Marine waters require a marine or all-waters license; marine license reciprocity with ME, MA, RI and NY. NOAA registry not mentioned on the page read.
- Free fishing days: 2026: May 9 (no license needed); June 21 and Aug 8 (free one-day license required from the licensing system).
Fish with a local
Fishing charters in Connecticut
Charter captains and guides we list in Connecticut, A to Z on each town page.
Questions
Connecticut fishing license questions
How much is a fishing license in Connecticut?
A resident annual license is $28 and a nonresident annual license is $55, and a 3-day nonresident license is $8. Full list above, from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Who needs a fishing license in Connecticut?
Everyone 16 and older.
Do I need a fishing license on a charter in Connecticut?
The agency fee pages we checked do not say. In many coastal states a licensed charter boat covers its paying passengers, but not everywhere – ask the captain when you book.
Where do I buy a Connecticut fishing license?
Online from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) at ct.aspirafocus.com, or from licensed sporting-goods and bait shops.
Sources:
For captains and guides
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