Last updated: September 7, 2026 — CPW 2026 fees, short-trip totals, purchase options, and access rules rechecked against current official pages.
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. Most anglers ages 18–64 also need the $12.76 Annual Habitat Stamp. If you do not already have that stamp, an annual license plus the stamp totals $136.77, while a five-day license plus the stamp totals $53.80. The first two one-day or additional-day license purchases are exempt from the stamp fee, so daily licenses are cheapest for one to three fishing days; for four or five days, the five-day license is cheaper. Youth under 16 can fish without a license. 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.
- For an angler age 18–64 who does not already have the current Habitat Stamp, an annual license plus the stamp totals $136.77 and a five-day license plus the stamp totals $53.80.
- The first two one-day or additional-day purchases are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee. For a typical visitor, daily licenses cost less for one to three fishing days; the five-day license costs less for four or five days.
- Youth under 16 fish without a license and can take a full bag and possession limit under CPW rules.
- 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.
The practical choice is based on how many days you will actually fish. A one-day license plus additional-day licenses is the lowest-cost setup for one, two, or three fishing days. For four or five days, the five-day nonresident license costs less. The annual license is mainly worth considering when you want flexibility for longer stays or repeat trips during the same license year.
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. An annual or five-day fishing license does not receive that first-two-daily-license exemption. You only need one Habitat Stamp for the license year, so do not add the $12.76 again if you already have the current stamp.
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.
How Much Does a Colorado Nonresident Fishing License Cost in 2026?
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.
What Is the Cheapest License for 1 to 5 Fishing Days?
The table below compares the standard nonresident choices. The last column assumes the angler is age 18–64 and does not already have a current Habitat Stamp.
| Fishing Days | Cheapest Setup | Base License Cost | Total for Ages 18–64 if Habitat Stamp Is Not Already Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One-Day License | $21.90 | $21.90 |
| 2 | One-Day + 1 Additional Day | $31.03 | $31.03 |
| 3 | One-Day + 2 Additional Days | $40.16 | $52.92 |
| 4 | Five-Day License | $41.04 | $53.80 |
| 5 | Five-Day License | $41.04 | $53.80 |
For three fishing days, the one-day license plus two additional days costs $40.16 before the Habitat Stamp. For an angler age 18–64 who needs the stamp, the total becomes $52.92. A five-day license plus the same stamp would total $53.80, so the three-day daily-license setup remains $0.88 cheaper.
For four or five fishing days, the five-day license is the lower-cost choice. If you already hold the current Habitat Stamp, do not add another $12.76 to either option. Anglers outside the 18–64 Habitat Stamp age range should compare the base license costs shown in the table.
What Extra Fees and Access Rules Apply to Nonresident Anglers?
Before buying, separate the basic fishing-license fee from optional, activity-specific, and access-related 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.
- Colorado state-park access: A fishing license does not replace a state-park entrance pass. Colorado Parks & Wildlife states that all state parks require an entrance pass for motor vehicles, and most parks also have walk-in fees. Review current options on the CPW Parks Passes page.
- State Wildlife Area access: At most Colorado State Wildlife Areas, a valid hunting or fishing license can satisfy the access-pass requirement for visitors age 16 or older. Individual properties can have additional restrictions, so check the CPW State Wildlife Area Finder before your trip.
For the current 2026 Habitat Stamp price and the short-term-license exemption wording, use the Colorado Parks & Wildlife nonresident fishing-license fee table.
How Do You Buy a Colorado Nonresident 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, its offices, and by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
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.
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.
Which Colorado Nonresident Fishing License Should You Buy?
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 and lowest-cost standard option. For more detail, see our Colorado 1-day fishing license cost guide.
- Two fishing days: A one-day license plus one $9.13 additional day totals $31.03. The first two qualifying daily-license purchases are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee.
- Three fishing days: A one-day license plus two additional days costs $40.16 in license charges. For an angler age 18–64 who needs the Habitat Stamp, the total is $52.92, still $0.88 less than a five-day license plus the stamp.
- Four or five fishing days: The $41.04 five-day license costs less than stacking one-day and additional-day fees. If you are age 18–64 and need the Habitat Stamp, the combined total is $53.80.
- Repeat trips: Consider the $124.01 annual license. Annual fishing licenses are valid from March 1 through March 31 of the following year. For resident and nonresident annual-license comparisons, see our Colorado annual fishing license cost guide.
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. For an angler age 18–64 who does not already hold the current $12.76 Habitat Stamp, the annual license plus the stamp totals $136.77.
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. Annual and five-day fishing licenses do not receive that first-two-daily-license exemption. Only one Habitat Stamp is needed for the license year.
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.
Can a Nonresident Buy a Colorado Fishing License Online?
Yes. Nonresidents can start from Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s official fishing-license page and use the online purchase system. CPW also sells licenses through authorized sales agents, its offices, and by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
Does a Colorado Fishing License Include State Park Entry?
No. A Colorado fishing license does not replace a state-park entrance pass. Colorado state parks require an entrance pass for motor vehicles, and most also have walk-in fees. At most State Wildlife Areas, however, a valid hunting or fishing license can satisfy the access-pass requirement for visitors age 16 or older; always check the specific property’s rules.
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. For a visitor fishing one to three days, the one-day/additional-day structure is normally cheapest; for four or five fishing days, the five-day license costs less. 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. If your fishing spot is inside a Colorado state park, also check the separate park-entry requirement.
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.
