License types and fees

This page contains a list of recreational fishing and hunting license, permit, and stamp types and costs. All licenses and permits are valid for the calendar year.

Your freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping license purchases go directly into the Inland Fish and Game Fund, which can only be used to support the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) programs and services. Your saltwater fishing permit purchases go into the Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund, which is administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

Gradual fee increases to freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses are scheduled each year until 2026. Click here for 2022-2026 fee schedule.

Log into MassFishHunt to purchase your license.

Table of Contents

2024 Freshwater fishing license fees

License TypePrice
Resident Fishing1$33.00
Resident Minor Fishing (Age 15–17)1,2FREE
Resident Fishing (Age 65–69)1,2$16.50

Resident Fishing (Age 70 or over)2

Or paraplegic, blind, intellectually disabled3

FREE
Non-resident Fishing1$43.00
Non-resident Minor Fishing (Age 15–17)1$7.40
Resident Fishing (3-day)1$15.00
Non-resident Fishing (3-day)1$25.70
Quabbin Reservoir 1-day Fishing$5.00

1 Price does not include the $5 "Wildlands Conservation Stamp" that is added to the first resident license purchased each year and all non-resident licenses.
2 Discounted licenses are only available to US citizens.
3 Requires pre-approval for first-time applicants or cannot be purchased online; click for more information or contact MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300.

2024 Saltwater fishing permit fees

License TypePrice
Saltwater fishing permit (anglers under 60)$10.00
Saltwater fishing permit (anglers 60 and over)FREE

2024 Sporting (combination) license fees

A sporting license is a combination hunting and freshwater fishing license. All sporting licenses include 2 antlered deer tags that can be used statewide.

License TypePrice
Resident Sporting1
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$61.00
Resident Sporting (Age 65–69)1, 2
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$30.50
Resident Sporting (Age 70 or over, includes trapping)2
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
FREE
Resident/Non-resident Sporting, Paraplegic3
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
FREE

1 Price does not include the $5 "Wildlands Conservation Stamp" that is added to the first resident license purchased each year and all non-resident licenses.
2 Discounted licenses are only available to US citizens.
3 Requires pre-approval for first-time applicants or cannot be purchased online; click for more information or contact MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300.

2024 Hunting license fees

License TypePrice
Resident Hunting1
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$33.00
Resident Minor Hunting (Age 15–17)1,2
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$6.50
Resident Hunting (Age 65–69)1,2
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$16.50
Resident/Non-resident Hunting, Paraplegic3
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
FREE
Non-resident (age 15 and over) Hunting, Big Game1
Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide.
$105.00
Non-resident (age 15 and over) Hunting, Small Game1$71.00
Resident Commercial Shooting Preserve (1-day)1$8.00
Non-resident Commercial Shooting Preserve (1-day)1$14.00

1 Price does not include the $5 "Wildlands Conservation Stamp" that is added to the first resident license purchased each year and all non-resident licenses.
2 Discounted licenses are only available to US citizens.
3 Requires pre-approval for first-time applicants or cannot be purchased online; get more information online or contact MassWildlife for instructions at (508) 389-6300.

2024 Trapping license and permit fees

License TypePrice
Resident Trapping1$36.00
Resident Minor Trapping (Age 12–17)1,2$6.50
Resident Trapping (Age 65–69)1,2$18.00
Non-resident Trapping Permit3$209.00
Resident Fur Buyer Permit3$39.00
Non-resident Fur Buyer Permit3$99.00

1 Price does not include the $5 "Wildlands Conservation Stamp" that is added to the first resident license purchased each year and all non-resident licenses.
2 Discounted licenses are only available to US citizens.
3 Requires pre-approval for first-time applicantscontact Bob Arini at Bob.Arini@mass.gov. to apply.

2024 Hunting permit and stamp fees

License TypePrice
Wildlands Stamp, Resident$5.00
Wildlands Stamp, Non-resident$5.00
Antlerless Deer Permit (when issued), Resident$10.00
Antlerless Deer Permit (when issued), Non-resident$20.00
Archery Deer Season Stamp, Resident$10.00
Archery Deer Season Stamp, Non-resident$20.00
Primitive Firearms Deer Season Stamp, Resident$10.00
Primitive Firearms Deer Season Stamp, Non-resident$20.00
Bear Permit, Resident$10.00
Bear Permit, Non-resident$20.00
Pheasant/Quail Permit, Resident$12.00
Pheasant/Quail Permit, Non-resident$18.00
Turkey Permit, Resident$10.00
Turkey Permit, Non-resident$20.00
Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp, Resident$10.00
Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp, Non-resident$20.00

What your license purchases fund

All funds from freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping license purchases go directly into the Inland Fish and Game Fund, which can only be used to support the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) programs and services. All funds from saltwater fishing permits go into the Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund, which is administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

Administrative and convenience fees are collected by a third-party vendor that operates MassFishHunt. Agent fees are collected by in-person vendors, such as sporting goods stores or town offices.

  • If you buy online, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus a 2% convenience fee on the total transaction.
  • If you buy at an in-person vendor, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus an agent fee of up to $1.50.
  • If you buy at a city or town clerk office, an administrative fee of $1.45 per license will be charged, plus an agent fee of $1.00.
  • There are no additional fees if you buy at offices of MassWildlife or the Division of Marine Fisheries. However, only cash or check payments can be accepted at this time.

License Fee Increases: Beginning in 2022, fees for some licenses, permits, and stamps will gradually increase over the next 5 years, after 26 years without an increase. To learn more about how MassWildlife is funded, and to view the 5-year fee schedule, please visit mass.gov/masswildlife-funding.

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