North Dakota Fishing License Online: Buy, Renew, Print, Download and 2026 ND Game and Fish Fees
Need an ND Game and Fish license before fishing? North Dakota lets anglers buy fishing licenses online, use the NDGF mobile app, purchase in person, and print or download license proof from a Game and Fish account.
This guide explains how to buy, renew-style repurchase and print a North Dakota fishing license online, plus 2026 resident and nonresident fees, age rules, license year dates, paddlefish tag notes, free fishing days and common mistakes to avoid.
Use these shortcuts before checkout. North Dakota has different fees for resident, nonresident, senior, married couple, 3-day, 10-day and paddlefish fishing situations. The license year also runs April 1 through March 31.
Can You Buy, Renew and Print a North Dakota Fishing License Online?
Yes. North Dakota Game and Fish provides online license purchase, print and download options through its Buy and Apply system. The Department also supports the NDGF mobile app, in-person Department office purchases and retail license vendors.
For online use, North Dakota Game and Fish says you first create or access your NDGF account. From your My Account page, you can buy licenses, view purchased licenses, download them and print them at any time.
North Dakota Fishing License Online Quick Facts for 2026
North Dakota fishing licenses are tied to the state license year, not a random 365-day period. A new license year starts April 1 and ends March 31 of the following year.
What This ND Game and Fish License Guide Covers
Official North Dakota Game and Fish License Links
Use official NDGF links before buying. Fees, season dates, app features, certificate rules, paddlefish tags and printing steps can change.
💳 NDGF Buy and Apply
Official North Dakota Game and Fish page to purchase fishing licenses, print or download licenses, and manage account tasks.
Open Buy and Apply🎣 North Dakota Fishing License
Official page with licensing requirements, age rules, purchase options and license possession rule.
Check Fishing License Rules🏠 Resident License Fees
Official resident fee table for fishing, senior, married couple, disability, veteran and paddlefish options.
Check Resident Fees🧳 Nonresident License Fees
Official nonresident fee table for season, married couple, 3-day, 10-day and paddlefish licenses.
Check Nonresident Fees🖨️ Purchasing or Printing Help
Official NDGF tutorial for purchasing, viewing, downloading and printing licenses from My Account.
Open Print Help💵 Fishing License Cost Guide
Compare North Dakota fees with other state fishing license costs.
Compare State CostsHow to Buy a North Dakota Fishing License Online
The official online route is North Dakota Game and Fish Buy and Apply. The online services system uses My Account, so most license functions require a user account.
Open Buy and Apply
Start from the official North Dakota Game and Fish Buy and Apply page.
Create or access your NDGF account
NDGF says to purchase a license, first create or access your NDGF account.
Choose Purchase License
For regular fishing licenses, use the Purchase License or Purchase Additional Licenses option from My Account.
Select the right fishing license
Choose resident or nonresident, season or short-term, individual or married couple, senior or other eligible product.
Print, download or store proof
After purchase, view, download and print your license from My Account. You can also use the NDGF mobile app to store licenses offline.
How to Print or Download a North Dakota Fishing License
North Dakota Game and Fish says you can view, download and print all licenses from your My Account page at any time. The NDGF mobile app can also download and store licenses offline.
Best online route: Log in and open your purchased licenses area.
Save proof: Download the license file before going to remote water.
Paper backup: Print a hard copy for tackle box, boat folder or glove box.
Offline storage: NDGF says the mobile app can download and store licenses offline.
North Dakota Fishing License Cost in 2026: Resident and Nonresident Fees
North Dakota fishing license fees are listed separately for residents and nonresidents. A Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate may also apply and is listed separately by NDGF.
| North Dakota Fishing License | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Certificate Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Season Fishing, age 16+ | $27 | $68 | $2 resident / $5 nonresident |
| Married Couple Season Fishing | $42 | $108 | $2 resident / $5 nonresident |
| 3-Day Fishing | Not listed as resident product | $48 | $5 nonresident |
| 10-Day Fishing | Not listed as resident product | $58 | $5 nonresident |
| Senior Citizen Fishing, age 65+ | $10 | Not listed | $2 resident |
| Totally or Permanently Disabled Fishing | $10 | Not listed | $2 resident |
| Veteran with 50% Service-Related Disability | $10 | Not listed | $2 resident |
| Paddlefish Tag | $15 | $35 | $2 resident / $5 nonresident |
| Resident Combination License | $62 | Not listed | $2 resident |
North Dakota Resident Fishing License Online Options
North Dakota residents age 16 and older need a fishing license unless an exception applies. Residents under age 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license.
$27: Resident fishing license for ages 16 and older, plus certificate fee when required.
$42: Resident married couple fishing license option.
$10: Resident senior citizen fishing license for age 65 or older.
$62: Resident combination license includes fishing, general game and habitat, small game and furbearer licenses.
Exception: North Dakota residents on leave from active duty can fish without a license. Contact NDGF for details.
Resident-only: NDGF says free fishing days are for North Dakota residents and do not include paddlefish.
North Dakota Nonresident Fishing License Online Options
Nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses in North Dakota. Short-term licenses may be better for visitors who fish only a few days.
Season license
Nonresident individual season fishing is listed at $68, plus the $5 certificate fee when required.
Best for repeat tripsShort-term license
Nonresident 3-day fishing is $48 and 10-day fishing is $58, plus the certificate fee when required.
Best for short visits$108: Nonresident married couple season fishing license.
Accompanied rule: A nonresident under 16 may take and possess a limit without a nonresident license if accompanied by someone with a valid fishing license.
Tag still needed: Paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers.
Possible resident license: Nonresident full-time students living in North Dakota and attending qualifying institutions may qualify for resident fishing licenses. Contact NDGF.
How to Renew a North Dakota Fishing License Online
For fishing, “renew” usually means buying current license-year coverage again through your NDGF account. North Dakota says licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
Check your current license year
If the date is after March 31, your previous license year has ended and you need current coverage.
Log in to My Account
Use the official NDGF Buy and Apply page and access your account.
Purchase the current fishing license
Select your resident or nonresident product for the new license year.
Download or print the new license
Do not rely on last year’s saved license. Save or print the current license year proof.
Who Needs a North Dakota Fishing License?
North Dakota Game and Fish says residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses. Youth rules differ for residents and nonresidents under age 16.
License required: Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need a North Dakota fishing license.
No license: Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit of fish without a fishing license.
Accompanied rule: A nonresident under 16 may take and possess a limit without a nonresident license if accompanied by a valid license holder.
Tag required: Paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers, regardless of general youth license rules.
North Dakota Paddlefish Tag Rule for Online Buyers
North Dakota Game and Fish says all paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license. The resident paddlefish tag is listed at $15, and the nonresident paddlefish tag is listed at $35.
$15: Resident paddlefish tag, with certificate fee listed separately.
$35: Nonresident paddlefish tag, with certificate fee listed separately.
Still required: A regular fishing license is also required for paddlefish snagging.
Do not skip: NDGF notes paddlefish tags are required for all paddlefish snaggers.
North Dakota Free Fishing Days and Online License Rules
North Dakota Game and Fish says residents may fish without a resident fishing license on four designated free fishing days each year. The official licensing page notes that free fishing days are resident-only and exclude paddlefish.
Free fishing day reminders
- Free fishing days are for North Dakota residents.
- Paddlefish is excluded from the free fishing day exception.
- All fishing regulations still apply.
- Nonresidents should not rely on North Dakota resident free fishing days.
- Size limits, possession limits and special water rules still matter.
North Dakota Fishing Rules to Check After You Buy Online
A North Dakota fishing license gives license coverage, but it does not replace fishing regulations. Always check current North Dakota rules for the water, species, possession limits, gear method and special activities.
Before fishing North Dakota, check this list
- Are you resident or nonresident?
- Are you age 16 or older?
- Is your license valid for April 1 through March 31?
- Did you buy the Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate if required?
- Are you fishing 3 days, 10 days or the full season as a nonresident?
- Are you paddlefish snagging?
- Do you need free darkhouse spearfishing registration?
- Do you have the license in possession while fishing?
- Did you save a digital or printed copy?
- What are the current size, possession and water-specific rules?
Common ND Game and Fish License Online Mistakes
Most mistakes happen around the license year, certificate fee, short-term nonresident licenses, paddlefish tags and proof of license possession.
North Dakota licenses run April 1 through March 31. Do not fish on an expired prior-year license.
The Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate is required for hunting or fishing and is listed as a separate fee.
Download, print or store your license offline before fishing remote lakes, rivers or shorelines.
Nonresident 3-day and 10-day licenses are different. Pick the right date range before checkout.
All paddlefish snaggers need a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license.
NDGF says not to use the browser’s back button during online purchase. Use the site buttons.
How This North Dakota Fishing License Online Guide Was Checked
This guide was prepared using official North Dakota Game and Fish Department licensing pages, resident and nonresident fee tables, Buy and Apply resources, and license purchase/print help pages. The focus is online buying, renewal-style repurchase and printing because that is the main user intent behind “nd game and fish license.”
- North Dakota fishing license age requirement for residents and nonresidents age 16 and older.
- Resident under-16 fishing license rule.
- Nonresident under-16 accompanied fishing rule.
- License purchase options: online, NDGF mobile app, Department office and retail vendor.
- License year from April 1 through March 31.
- Digital image of license accepted as license in possession.
- Resident fishing, married couple, senior, disability, veteran and paddlefish fees.
- Nonresident season, married couple, 3-day, 10-day and paddlefish fees.
- My Account print, download and view license steps.
- NDGF mobile app offline license storage note.
Find North Dakota Fishing License Vendors Near You
If you do not want to buy online, North Dakota Game and Fish says licenses may be purchased at Department offices or retail license vendors. Call before visiting because hours and printing support can vary.
Search North Dakota Fishing License Vendors
Use this map for a general search, then confirm through NDGF before relying on a vendor location.
North Dakota Fishing License Online FAQs: Buy, Renew, Print and Cost
Can I buy a North Dakota fishing license online?
Yes. North Dakota Game and Fish says licenses may be purchased online, through the NDGF mobile app, in person at a Department office or at a retail license vendor.
How do I print a North Dakota fishing license?
Log in to your NDGF My Account page. NDGF says you can view, download and print all of your licenses from My Account at any time.
Can I store a North Dakota fishing license on my phone?
Yes. NDGF says a digital image of a fishing license stored on a mobile device is accepted as a license in possession. The NDGF mobile app can also store licenses offline.
How much is a resident North Dakota fishing license?
North Dakota Game and Fish lists the resident fishing license for ages 16 and older at $27, plus a $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate when required.
How much is a nonresident North Dakota fishing license?
North Dakota Game and Fish lists the nonresident individual season fishing license at $68, 3-day fishing at $48 and 10-day fishing at $58, plus a $5 certificate when required.
What age needs a North Dakota fishing license?
Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older need fishing licenses. Residents under 16 may take and possess a limit without a license, and nonresidents under 16 may do so if accompanied by a valid license holder.
When does a North Dakota fishing license expire?
North Dakota fishing licenses are valid for one year starting April 1 and ending March 31 of the following year.
Do I need a paddlefish tag in North Dakota?
Yes, if paddlefish snagging. NDGF says all paddlefish snaggers must possess a paddlefish tag in addition to a valid fishing license.
Are North Dakota free fishing days for nonresidents?
No. NDGF says free fishing days are resident-only. They also exclude paddlefish.
Where should I verify North Dakota fishing license rules?
Use the official North Dakota Game and Fish fishing licensing page, resident and nonresident fee pages, Buy and Apply page, and current fishing regulations before fishing.
Final Summary: North Dakota Fishing License Online in 2026
You can buy a North Dakota fishing license online through the official NDGF Buy and Apply system, then print, download or store proof in the NDGF mobile app. Licenses run from April 1 through March 31, and anglers must have valid license proof in possession while fishing.
Resident fishing is listed at $27 for ages 16 and older, while nonresident season fishing is $68. Nonresident short-term options include 3-day fishing at $48 and 10-day fishing at $58. Add certificate fees, paddlefish tags or other requirements when your exact activity needs them.