A Minnesota short-term fishing license is a convenient choice for an adult angler who plans to fish for only one day or a few consecutive days. Prices and purchase methods below were verified for the 2026-27 license year. Minnesota fishing rules can change, so check the current Department of Natural Resources regulations for your specific lake, river, species, and dates before fishing.
Last updated: July 28, 2026.
Quick Answer
A Minnesota 24-hour fishing license costs $12 for an adult resident and $14 for an adult nonresident. Residents can buy a 72-hour license for $14; nonresidents pay $36 for 72 hours or $43 for seven days. Anglers ages 16-17 use a $5 youth annual license. A $1 agent fee may apply.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota’s 24-hour and 72-hour licenses are adult products for residents and nonresidents age 18 or older.
- Resident and nonresident anglers ages 16-17 can buy a $5 youth annual fishing license.
- A valid 24-hour or 72-hour license does not require a separate trout/salmon stamp during its short-term period.
- Licenses are available through the official Minnesota DNR website, the MN DNR Licensing mobile app, or an approved license agent. Phone sales are no longer available.
- Statewide limits, special lake rules, seasons, closures, and equipment requirements still apply to short-term license holders.
Note: Minnesota’s general 2026-27 fishing license year runs through February 28, 2027. A short-term license does not remain valid for the entire license year; it covers only its stated consecutive 24-hour or 72-hour period.
Who Needs a 1-Day Fishing License in Minnesota?
Most adult anglers need a valid Minnesota fishing license unless a specific exemption applies. The 24-hour license is designed for resident and nonresident anglers age 18 or older who want short-term coverage instead of an annual license.
The rules for children and teenagers are different. Minnesota does not require anglers ages 16-17 to buy the adult day license. They can instead purchase a $5 youth annual angling license.
| Angler | General License Rule |
|---|---|
| Minnesota resident under 16 | May fish without a license. |
| Minnesota resident age 16-17 | Uses the $5 resident youth annual angling license. |
| Minnesota resident age 18-89 | Needs an adult license unless an exemption applies. A 24-hour or 72-hour license may be used. |
| Minnesota resident age 90 or older | May fish without an angling license. |
| Nonresident under 16 | May fish without a license when a parent or guardian has a fishing license, but the child’s fish count toward that adult’s limit. Youth or family-license coverage can provide a separate limit. |
| Nonresident age 16-17 | Uses the $5 nonresident youth annual angling license. |
| Nonresident age 18 or older | Needs an adult license unless a specific exemption applies. Short-term choices include 24-hour, 72-hour, and 7-day licenses. |
To qualify for a resident license, a person generally must have maintained a legal residence in Minnesota for at least 60 consecutive days. Resident buyers age 21 or older generally must provide a current Minnesota driver’s license or state identification information.
Warning: Do not buy an adult 24-hour license for an angler age 16 or 17 without checking the youth option. The $5 youth license is an annual product and may be both cheaper and longer-lasting.
Who Is Exempt From a Daily Fishing Permit?
Minnesota has age-based, military, institutional, disability-related, and limited location-based exemptions. Some people may fish without a license, while others qualify for a free or reduced-fee license. Documentation or written authorization may be required.
Age-Based Exemptions
Minnesota residents under age 16 and residents age 90 or older may fish without an angling license. Residents ages 16-17 are not exempt, but they can buy the $5 youth annual license rather than an adult short-term license.
A nonresident under 16 may fish without a separate license when a parent or guardian holds a fishing license. In that situation, fish caught by the child count toward the parent or guardian’s limit. A youth license or nonresident family license can allow the child to possess a separate limit.
Military and Veterans
A Minnesota resident serving in the United States armed forces, stationed outside Minnesota, and home on leave may fish without a license while carrying official leave or furlough papers.
A recently discharged resident may also qualify if the person served in federal active service outside the United States during the preceding 24 months and carries official military discharge papers. This exemption is narrower than simply being a veteran discharged at any time within the past two years.
Other military provisions may allow service members stationed in Minnesota, certain spouses, and personnel training at Camp Ripley to obtain resident licenses. Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for a permanent no-fee angling license through the DNR License Center.
- Resident stationed outside Minnesota and home on leave: Carry official leave or furlough papers.
- Qualifying recently discharged resident: Carry proof of Minnesota residency and official discharge papers.
- Veteran with a 100% service-connected disability: Contact the DNR License Center about a permanent license.
Special Living Situations
Qualifying residents of state hospitals, Veterans Administration hospitals, correctional facilities, licensed nursing or boarding care homes, board-and-lodging facilities, and certain residential treatment programs may fish without a standard license when statutory conditions are met.
These exemptions commonly require written consent from the superintendent or chief executive of the institution. Simply showing proof of residence at a facility may not satisfy every requirement.
| Potentially Exempt Group | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Resident under 16 | No angling license required. |
| Resident age 90 or older | No angling license required. |
| Qualifying military member on leave | Official leave or furlough papers. |
| Qualifying recently discharged resident | Minnesota residency, qualifying service, and official discharge papers. |
| Institutional or care-facility participant | Eligibility and written institutional consent. |
Minnesota also allows residents to fish without a license in certain state-park situations. The exemption generally applies when a resident fishes from shore or wades on state-owned land within a state park. Boat, float, and ice fishing qualify only on waters completely encompassed by the park boundary.
The state-park exemption does not apply to waters where a trout stamp is required. It also does not apply to state recreation areas or city, county, regional, and national parks. A vehicle permit may still be required to enter the park.
Resident Daily and Short-Term License Options and Costs
Adult Minnesota residents can choose between a $12 consecutive 24-hour license and a $14 consecutive 72-hour license. The 72-hour option costs only $2 more and is usually the better value for a weekend trip.
| Resident License | Fee | Validity | Trout/Salmon Stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour adult | $12 | Consecutive 24 hours | Not required during the valid period |
| 72-hour adult | $14 | Consecutive 72 hours | Not required during the valid period |
| Youth annual, age 16-17 | $5 | Current license year | Youth exempt |
The words “24-hour” and “72-hour” refer to consecutive time periods, not a single calendar date or an entire March-to-February license year. Review the start and expiration information shown during checkout before completing the transaction.
For an adult resident fishing longer than one day, the 72-hour license offers three times the coverage for only $2 more than the 24-hour license.
Pro Tip: Compare the short-term price with the annual resident license before buying. A resident who expects to fish several times during the license year may save money with annual coverage.
Products Worth Considering
Decorative Item Only: This product is a vintage-style decorative license plate, crafted as a replica/artifact. It is NOT a real license plate and cannot be used as such. Please comply with all applicable laws—it must NOT be mounted on any vehicle to replace, cover, or imitate an official license plate. Use only for indoor or outdoor decoration where legally permitted.
[Compliance] This license plate is a decorative craft item, not a real license plate. It is for interior decoration only and is prohibited from being installed on vehicles. Please comply with US laws and state regulations.
License Plates Frames Tags
Nonresident 1-Day and Multi-Day Permit Prices
An adult nonresident can buy a 24-hour license for $14, a 72-hour license for $36, or a 7-day license for $43. The listed 72-hour and 7-day prices include the applicable $5 nonresident surcharge.
| Nonresident License | Fee | Effective Daily Cost | Trout/Salmon Stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour adult | $14 | $14 for the period | Not required during the valid period |
| 72-hour adult | $36 | $12 per day | Not required during the valid period |
| 7-day adult | $43 | About $6.14 per day | May be required for anglers ages 18-64 |
| Youth annual, age 16-17 | $5 | Annual coverage | Youth exempt |
Nonresident 24-Hour Rate
The $14 nonresident 24-hour license is usually the lowest-cost option for an adult visitor taking one brief fishing trip. It covers a consecutive 24-hour period and does not require a separate trout/salmon stamp while valid.
Check the start and expiration details shown on the issued license. Carry the issued paper license, PDF, or license stored in the official mobile app while fishing and while traveling from the licensed activity.
3- and 7-Day Options
The nonresident 72-hour license costs $36 and covers three consecutive days. The 7-day license costs $43 and provides the lowest base cost per day for a trip lasting four to seven days.
The trout/salmon stamp exemption applies to the 72-hour license but not automatically to the 7-day license. An angler age 18-64 using a 7-day license generally needs the $10 validation when fishing designated trout waters or Lake Superior, or when possessing trout or salmon taken by angling in Minnesota.
Family and Couple Deals
Families planning a longer trip should compare short-term individual licenses with Minnesota’s nonresident family license. The annual family product can cover one or both parents and their dependent children under 16.
A nonresident married couple may also qualify for a combined 14-day angling license. Current listed totals are generally $68 for the nonresident family license and $54 for the 14-day married-couple license, including the applicable nonresident surcharge. Verify the checkout total and covered household members before purchasing.
- One adult fishing for one day: The $14 nonresident 24-hour license is usually the simplest option.
- One adult fishing for two or three days: Compare separate 24-hour purchases with the $36 consecutive 72-hour license.
- One adult fishing for four to seven days: The $43 7-day license normally offers the lowest base cost per day.
- Parents and children under 16: Compare individual short-term licenses with the nonresident family product.
- Married couple staying up to 14 days: Review the combined 14-day option.
Required Stamps, Tags, and Additional Fees for Day Licenses
The base fishing-license price may not be the only cost for every activity. However, Minnesota’s 24-hour and 72-hour licenses have an important benefit: they do not require a trout/salmon stamp while the short-term license is valid.
| Item | Current Fee | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Trout/salmon stamp validation | $10 | Generally required for anglers ages 18-64 fishing designated trout waters or Lake Superior, or possessing trout or salmon. Not required with valid 24-hour or 72-hour licenses. |
| Pictorial trout or walleye stamp | Additional $0.75 | Optional physical collectible stamp after buying the applicable validation. |
| Walleye stamp validation | $5 | Voluntary contribution supporting walleye stocking. It is not required to fish for or keep walleye. |
| Sturgeon endorsement | $5 | Required when harvesting lake sturgeon where an endorsement is required. Water-specific seasons and registration rules apply. |
| Agent fee | Typically $1 | May be added to the listed license price. Review the final checkout total. |
Warning: A standard angling license does not automatically authorize every fishing method or activity. Dark-house spearing, certain fish houses or shelters, sturgeon harvest, and other regulated activities can require separate licenses or endorsements.
Products Worth Considering
1.25" x 3.25" Stamp Block
Approximate Size: 3/4" x 2"
「Original Design Patterns」: Seafood clear stamps are designed with new and wonderful elements and patterns, including salmon, scallo, crab, lobster, squid, shrimp etc. Enrich your DIY creation and provide you with different great ideas. Create your unique artwork. Continue to create!
How and Where to Buy a Daily Fishing License
Minnesota launched a modernized Electronic Licensing System on June 9, 2026. Fishing licenses can now be purchased in three main ways:
- Online: Use the official Minnesota DNR licensing portal.
- Mobile app: Download the official MN DNR Licensing app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- In person: Visit an approved Minnesota DNR license agent.
Phone sales are no longer available. Avoid third-party websites that imitate a government licensing page or charge unexplained fees. Start from the official Minnesota DNR website.
Products Worth Considering
Durable Material: Car license plate is crafted from high-quality ETP (electrolytic tinplate) with 2 layers of clear epoxy lacquer coating making the car tag water-proof, rust-proof, and weather-resistant
Team colored license plate measures a standard 6-inches by 11.5-inches
Made of metal with a black finish for added style and protection
Steps to Buy a Minnesota 24-Hour License
- Open the official Minnesota DNR license-sales page or the MN DNR Licensing app.
- Create or sign in to your customer account.
- Confirm whether you qualify as a Minnesota resident.
- Select the adult resident or nonresident 24-hour angling license.
- Review the start time, expiration time, license fee, and any agent or transaction charge.
- Complete payment and save the issued license.
- Carry the license as a paper copy, emailed PDF, or license stored in the official app.
The app requires internet access for initial download, login, and purchase. After a license has been stored in the app, it can be displayed without cellular service. A PDF can also be saved locally to a phone or printed at home.
Pro Tip: Download the license or open it in the app before leaving an area with reliable internet service. Do not depend on being able to retrieve an email at a remote boat launch.
Rules, Possession Limits, and Special Restrictions for 1-Day Licenses
A 24-hour fishing license changes how long you may legally fish; it does not relax Minnesota’s seasons, bag limits, possession limits, size restrictions, tackle rules, bait restrictions, or water-specific regulations.
| Rule | What a Short-Term Angler Must Do |
|---|---|
| License possession | Carry acceptable paper or electronic proof and show it to an officer when requested. |
| Bag and possession limits | Follow the standard limit for the species and water unless a special regulation imposes a different limit. |
| Seasons and closures | Fish only during an open season and check current spawning-area or emergency closures. |
| Special waters | Check lake, river, border-water, tribal-water, and experimental regulations before fishing. |
| Extra permissions | Obtain any required shelter license, spearing license, sturgeon endorsement, or other authorization. |
A conservation angling license is a separate resident product with reduced limits. Buying a normal 24-hour or 72-hour license does not automatically cut the holder’s limits in half.
Special regulations can be stricter than statewide rules. For example, an individual lake may have a protected slot, reduced possession limit, seasonal closure, or special harvest requirement. Use the Minnesota DNR fishing-regulations pages and LakeFinder before your trip.
Common Questions About Daily Fishing Permits
Before choosing a short-term permit, answer four practical questions:
- How old is each angler? Ages 16-17 generally use the $5 youth annual license rather than an adult day license.
- How long will the trip last? Compare 24-hour, 72-hour, 7-day, family, couple, and annual products.
- Which water will you fish? Statewide, border, tribal, state-park, trout, and special-regulation waters can have different requirements.
- What activity is planned? Ordinary angling, ice-shelter use, dark-house spearing, and sturgeon harvest may require different permissions.
The 24-hour and 72-hour licenses are especially useful for adult visitors who want simple short-term coverage. Their trout/salmon-stamp exemption can also reduce the total cost of a brief trout trip.
Keep the issued license accessible throughout the fishing activity and while traveling from the area where the licensed activity occurred. A paper printout, PDF, or official-app license is more reliable than a payment confirmation or screenshot of an unfinished transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish across state lines with a Minnesota 1-day license?
A Minnesota license generally covers Minnesota waters. Some waters shared with neighboring states are governed by reciprocal or boundary-water rules that may allow a valid license from either state to be used in specified areas. Lake Superior and Canadian border waters have separate rules. Check the exact boundary-water regulations before crossing an invisible state line on a river or lake.
Does a 1-day license cover ice fishing?
Yes. A valid 24-hour angling license can be used for ordinary ice fishing during an open season. The angler must still follow ice-fishing limits and equipment rules. A separate fish-house or shelter license may be required depending on the shelter, how it is used, and whether it is left unattended.
Are refunds available for an unused daily license?
Minnesota generally does not have legislative authority to refund game and fish license fees simply because a purchaser did not use the license. Review the selected dates and customer information before completing payment. Contact the DNR License Center promptly if a transaction contains an error or fails to issue a license.
Can I transfer my daily license to someone else?
No, not under ordinary circumstances. Minnesota law generally prohibits lending, transferring, borrowing, or using a license issued to another person. A narrow exception exists for certain nonprofit programs serving people with severe disabilities or critical illnesses.
Do children need a separate 1-day license with an adult?
Minnesota residents under 16 do not need an angling license. A nonresident under 16 may fish without a license when a parent or guardian has a fishing license, but the child’s catch counts toward that adult’s limit. A $5 youth license or family-license coverage can provide the nonresident child with a separate limit. Anglers ages 16-17 use the $5 youth annual license.
Does a Minnesota 24-hour license include trout fishing?
Yes. A person fishing under a valid resident or nonresident 24-hour license does not need a separate trout/salmon stamp during that license period. The same exemption applies to Minnesota’s 72-hour licenses. All trout seasons, limits, designated-water rules, and closures still apply.
When does a 24-hour fishing license start?
It covers a consecutive 24-hour period rather than one calendar date. Review the exact effective and expiration times displayed by the licensing system and printed on the issued license. Do not assume a license purchased late in the day expires automatically at midnight.
Conclusion
A Minnesota 24-hour fishing license costs $12 for an adult resident and $14 for an adult nonresident. Residents can extend coverage to 72 hours for $14, while nonresidents pay $36 for 72 hours or $43 for seven days. Anglers ages 16-17 should use the $5 youth annual license instead of an adult day permit.
Buy through the official DNR website, the MN DNR Licensing app, or an approved agent. Save the issued paper, PDF, or app-based license, and check the regulations for your water and target species. The short-term license covers angling only for its stated period; all seasons, limits, closures, and additional activity requirements still apply.
Sources
- Minnesota DNR Fishing Licenses — current license products, fees, and additional agent-fee notice.
- Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations — current license year, regulations booklet, seasons, and statewide rules.
- Minnesota DNR Online License Sales — current online, mobile-app, paper, PDF, and in-person purchasing options.
- Minnesota DNR License Exemptions — military, disability, institutional, and no-fee license provisions.
- Minnesota Statutes §97A.451 — youth and age-based fishing-license requirements.
- Minnesota Statutes §97C.305 — trout/salmon stamp requirements and short-term-license exemptions.
