Last updated: August 11, 2026
If you’re a nonresident age 16 or older and plan to fish in Colorado, a fishing license costs $124.01 for an annual license, $41.04 for five days, or $21.90 for one day in the 2026 license year. Additional days cost $9.13 each. Youth under 16 can fish without a license. Most anglers ages 18–64 also need the $12.76 Annual Habitat Stamp, although the first two one-day or additional-day license purchases are exempt from that stamp fee. These fees and rules come from Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW).
Quick Answer
- Nonresidents age 16 and older can buy an annual fishing license for $124.01, a five-day license for $41.04, or a one-day license for $21.90.
- An additional-day fishing license costs $9.13.
- Youth under 16 fish without a license and can take a full bag and possession limit under CPW rules.
- The 2026 Annual Habitat Stamp costs $12.76 and generally applies to anglers ages 18–64. The first two one-day or additional-day license purchases are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee.
- The $50 nonresident Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Stamp is a motorboat and sailboat requirement; it is not a standard surcharge simply for fishing from shore.
- You can review current fees and reach the official purchase system through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing license page.
Overview of Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
Colorado gives nonresident anglers several choices based on trip length. Anyone age 16 or older who does not qualify for an exemption generally needs a valid fishing license. Youth under 16 can fish without a license.
For the 2026 license year, the nonresident annual license is $124.01, the five-day license is $41.04, the one-day license is $21.90, and each additional-day license is $9.13.
Nonresident anglers under 16 can fish without a license. At age 16 and older, nonresidents use Colorado’s standard nonresident license options; Colorado does not list a discounted nonresident youth fishing license.
The Annual Habitat Stamp is a separate $12.76 charge for people ages 18–64 when the requirement applies. Anglers buying one-day or additional-day licenses are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee for their first two licenses of those types; the fee is assessed with the third.
The $50 Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Stamp is different. CPW lists it as required for nonresident motorboats and sailboats, so a person who is simply fishing from shore should not treat it as a normal fishing-license surcharge.
Cost Breakdown for Non-Resident Licenses
Here are the current nonresident fees published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife for the 2026 license year:
| License or Stamp | 2026 Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License (ages 16+) | $124.01 |
| Five-Day Fishing License (ages 16+) | $41.04 |
| One-Day Fishing License (ages 16+) | $21.90 |
| Additional-Day Fishing License | $9.13 |
| Annual Habitat Stamp (when required, ages 18–64) | $12.76 |
| Second-Rod Stamp | $14.24 |
| Nonresident ANS Stamp for motorboats and sailboats | $50.00 |
CPW states that its listed fishing-license fees include the applicable $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and $1.50 Wildlife Education Fund fee.
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Which License Is Cheapest for Your Trip?
For a one-day trip, the nonresident one-day license costs $21.90. A second fishing day can be added for $9.13, bringing the two-day license cost to $31.03. The first two one-day or additional-day license purchases are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee.
If you are age 18–64 and build a three-day trip using a one-day license plus two additional-day licenses, the license charges total $40.16, and the third one-day/additional-day purchase triggers the $12.76 Habitat Stamp, for a total of $52.92. A five-day license plus the Habitat Stamp is $53.80. For four or five fishing days, the five-day license is the simpler and less expensive option for most nonresident adults.
Anglers who are outside the 18–64 Habitat Stamp age range should compare the base license charges separately because the $12.76 annual stamp does not normally apply to them.
Additional Fees and Requirements
Before buying, separate the basic fishing-license fee from optional or activity-specific charges:
- Annual Habitat Stamp: Costs $12.76 for the 2026 license year and generally applies to people ages 18–64. You only need one Habitat Stamp per license year. The first two one-day or additional-day fishing-license purchases are exempt from the fee.
- Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Stamp: The $50 nonresident ANS Stamp is required for motorboats and sailboats. It is not a standard surcharge for every person holding a fishing license.
- Second-Rod Stamp: Costs $14.24 and allows an angler to use a second rod, hand line, or tip-up where otherwise permitted. It does not increase the angler’s bag limit.
- Youth under 16: No fishing license is required, although a youth using a second line must have a second-rod stamp.
- Nonresidents age 16 and older: Use the normal nonresident fishing-license options. Colorado does not list a discounted nonresident youth fishing rate.
For the latest Habitat Stamp rules, see the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Habitat Stamp information.
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How to Purchase a Non-Resident Fishing License
Start with the official Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing licenses and fees page. From there, you can reach CPW’s online license-purchase system. CPW also sells licenses through authorized sales agents and its offices.
Have a government-issued ID available when purchasing your license. Colorado residents must also meet the state’s residency-proof requirements when seeking resident rates; nonresidents should select the appropriate nonresident license.
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Can You Fish Before a Physical License Arrives?
CPW provides a Temporary Authorization Number (TAN) that can serve as temporary authorization after purchase. CPW says the TAN is valid for up to 45 days after purchase while applicable physical licenses are being delivered.
For one-day or five-day fishing licenses whose selected dates fall within 15 days of the purchase date, CPW says a physical license will not be mailed. Keep the TAN from the email confirmation available while fishing.
How to Choose the Right Non-Resident License
Your best license depends mainly on the number of days you expect to fish and whether you will return during the same license year.
- One fishing day: The $21.90 one-day license is the simplest option.
- Two fishing days: A one-day license plus one $9.13 additional day totals $31.03 before any other optional charges.
- Three fishing days: Compare the daily-license combination with the five-day option carefully. For anglers ages 18–64, the third one-day/additional-day purchase triggers the Habitat Stamp fee.
- Four or five fishing days: The $41.04 five-day license usually costs less than stacking one-day and additional-day fees.
- Repeat trips: Consider the $124.01 annual license. Annual fishing licenses are valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Whichever license you choose, review Colorado’s current fishing regulations for water-specific closures, bag limits, possession limits, legal methods, and other rules before fishing. The current brochure and regulations are available through Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s rules and regulations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Colorado Nonresident Fishing License in 2026?
The 2026 nonresident annual fishing license costs $124.01. A five-day license costs $41.04, a one-day license costs $21.90, and each additional-day license costs $9.13.
Do Nonresident Children Need a Colorado Fishing License?
Youth under 16 can fish in Colorado without a fishing license. Nonresidents age 16 and older use the state’s normal nonresident fishing-license options; there is no discounted nonresident youth fishing rate listed by CPW.
Do Nonresidents Need a Colorado Habitat Stamp?
The Annual Habitat Stamp costs $12.76 for the 2026 license year and generally applies to anglers ages 18–64. The first two one-day or additional-day fishing-license purchases are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee; it is assessed with the third such license purchase.
Do I Need an ANS Stamp Just to Fish in Colorado?
No. CPW lists the $50 nonresident Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp as a requirement for motorboats and sailboats. It is not a standard fishing-license charge for an angler simply fishing from shore.
How Long Is a Colorado Annual Fishing License Valid?
Colorado annual fishing licenses are valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year, giving them a 13-month license period. One-day and five-day licenses are valid only for their selected dates.
Can I Use Two Fishing Rods in Colorado?
You can use a second rod, hand line, or tip-up where permitted after purchasing Colorado’s $14.24 second-rod stamp. The stamp does not give you an extra bag limit.
Do License Fees Replace Colorado’s Fishing Limits and Rules?
No. Buying a fishing license does not override Colorado’s bag limits, possession limits, water-specific restrictions, closures, or legal-method rules. Review the current Colorado fishing regulations for the water you plan to fish.
Conclusion
A Colorado nonresident fishing license costs $124.01 annually, $41.04 for five days, or $21.90 for one day in the 2026 license year, with additional days priced at $9.13. Youth under 16 fish without a license. Anglers ages 18–64 should also account for the $12.76 Habitat Stamp when it applies, while the $50 ANS Stamp is tied to nonresident motorboats and sailboats rather than ordinary shore fishing.
Before your trip, confirm the current fee and regulation details with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, choose the license that matches the number of days you will fish, and keep your license or temporary authorization available while on the water.
