Last updated: August 11, 2026.
By: [VERIFY: add the real author name and relevant credentials before publishing.]
In Idaho, anyone 14 or older generally needs a valid fishing license. Resident children under 14 may fish without a license and keep their own daily bag limit. Nonresident children under 14 may also fish without a license, but they must be accompanied by someone with a valid Idaho fishing license and their harvested fish count toward that license holder’s limit unless the child buys their own junior fishing license. Current resident junior license fees are $16 for one year or $44.50 for three years; eligible Price Lock residents pay $13.75 or $37.75. Nonresident junior licenses cost $23.75 for one year or $67.75 for three years. Access/Depredation fees and certain fishing permits can add to the total.
| Youth angler | License rule | Fish limit |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho resident under 14 | No fishing license required | Own daily bag limit |
| Nonresident under 14 | No license if accompanied by a valid Idaho license holder | Fish count toward accompanying license holder unless youth buys own junior license |
| Resident age 14–17 | Junior fishing license required | Own limit |
| Nonresident age 14–17 | Junior fishing license required | Own limit |
Who Needs a Fishing License in Idaho
Anyone 14 years of age or older generally needs a valid Idaho fishing license before fishing. Children under 14 are exempt from the basic license requirement, but Idaho applies different catch-limit rules to resident and nonresident children.
A resident child under 14 does not need to be accompanied by a licensed adult and may keep their own daily bag limit. A nonresident child under 14 must be accompanied by someone who holds a valid Idaho fishing license, and the child’s harvested fish are included in that person’s limit. A nonresident child may instead buy a junior fishing license to have an independent limit.
There are also limited exceptions to the normal license rule. Idaho holds an annual Free Fishing Day when a standard fishing license is not required, although other fishing rules remain in effect. State fishing licenses are also not required on a private pond covered by a valid Idaho Private Pond Permit, because the permit allows the landowner to establish fishing rules for that pond.
Before fishing, check the current Idaho Fish and Game rules for the water and species you plan to fish. Special permits may still be required for activities such as fishing for salmon or steelhead or using two poles.
Products Worth Considering
Whether you like bass fishing, trout fishing, ice fishing or catfish fishing this shirt makes a great fishing gift idea.
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.
Age-Based License Rules for Kids and Teens
Idaho’s youth fishing rules become easiest to understand when you separate anglers into two age groups: under 14 and ages 14–17.
Resident children under 14 fish without a license and have their own daily bag limit. Nonresident children under 14 may fish without a license only while accompanied by a valid Idaho fishing license holder, with their harvested fish included in that person’s limit. A nonresident child who wants a separate limit may buy a junior fishing license.
Once a youth reaches age 14, a fishing license is generally required. Idaho offers junior fishing licenses for anglers ages 14–17.
| Age group | License status | Policy effect |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 residents | No license required | May keep own daily bag limit |
| Under 14 nonresidents | No license if accompanied by valid Idaho license holder | Harvest counts toward accompanying license holder unless youth buys own junior license |
| 14–17 | Junior fishing license required | Youth fishes under own license and limit |
Products Worth Considering
UNIQUE DESIGN: Display your license plate with an image as unique as you are. Designed to show off your one-of-a-kind style, our lightweight and durable novelty plates are made to withstand all driving conditions.
UNIQUE DESIGN: Display your license plate with a frame as unique as you are. Designed to show off your one-of-a-kind style, our metal and durable frames are made to withstand all driving conditions.
Premium Quality – Our high-quality license plate frames are crafted from durable zinc alloy metal, featuring a vibrant design on both the top and bottom. Each design is coated with a protective epoxy layer to shield it from weather, UV rays, and outdoor elements, ensuring long-lasting beauty and resilience for your vehicle’s license plate frame.
Resident Youth Limits and Special Allowances
An Idaho resident child under 14 does not need a fishing license and may keep their own daily bag limit. The child must still follow the same applicable seasons, possession limits, size restrictions, tackle rules, and water-specific regulations.
Salmon and steelhead have additional permit rules. A resident child under 14 who wants to catch and keep an independent salmon or steelhead limit may purchase the appropriate permit. Otherwise, salmon or steelhead kept by the child are counted as part of the supervising angler’s limit and recorded on that person’s permit.
Youth who hold a junior fishing license and fish for salmon or steelhead need the applicable salmon or steelhead permit. A two-pole permit is also required for anglers who use two poles where two-pole fishing is allowed, regardless of age.
- Resident children under 14: no basic fishing license required.
- They may keep their own regular daily bag limit.
- Salmon/steelhead have separate permit and limit rules.
- A two-pole permit is required to use two poles where permitted.
Nonresident Youth Options and Requirements
A nonresident child under 14 does not have to buy a fishing license if they fish while accompanied by someone with a valid Idaho fishing license. However, any fish the child harvests are included in the accompanying license holder’s bag and possession limit.
If the child needs an independent fish limit, Idaho Fish and Game allows a nonresident youth of any age to purchase a junior fishing license. The current license fee is $23.75 for one year or $67.75 for three years, before the applicable Access/Depredation fee.
Nonresident Youth Rules
For nonresident families, the main decision is whether the child needs a separate catch limit. If an under-14 child fishes under an accompanying adult’s license, the child’s harvested fish count toward that license holder’s limit. Buying the child a junior fishing license gives the child an independent limit.
The current nonresident junior fishing license costs $23.75 annually or $67.75 for three years. Idaho also lists an Access/Depredation fee of $4 for a junior annual license or $8 with a three-year license.
Additional salmon/steelhead or two-pole permits may be needed depending on the fishing activity.
- No basic license for an accompanied nonresident child under 14.
- Without the child’s own license, harvested fish count toward the accompanying license holder.
- A junior license gives the child an independent limit.
- Special permit requirements still need to be checked before fishing.
Accompanying Licensed Adult
A nonresident child under 14 who does not buy their own junior license must be accompanied by the holder of a valid Idaho fishing license. The child’s harvested fish are included in that license holder’s bag and possession limit.
This makes the choice straightforward: if the combined adult-and-child limit is adequate, the child may fish under the accompaniment rule. If the child needs a separate limit, purchase a junior fishing license for the child before fishing.
| Option | Effect on Limits | Practical result |
|---|---|---|
| No youth license | Child’s harvest counts toward accompanying license holder | No separate youth limit |
| Youth buys junior license | Independent youth limit | Useful when child needs own limit |
| Licensed adult accompanies child | Adult’s applicable limit covers harvested fish | Required for unlicensed nonresident child under 14 |
Costs, Permits, and Where to Buy Youth Licenses
Idaho lists different junior fishing prices for residents and nonresidents. Resident pricing also includes a lower Price Lock rate for eligible customers. The figures below are license fees; the applicable Access/Depredation fee is additional.
| Junior license | Annual | 3-year | Access/Depredation fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident standard | $16.00 | $44.50 | $2 annual / $4 three-year |
| Resident Price Lock | $13.75 | $37.75 | $2 annual / $4 three-year |
| Nonresident | $23.75 | $67.75 | $4 annual / $8 three-year |
For residents, Price Lock is a program that allows eligible customers to pay lower locked prices. Idaho Fish and Game currently displays both the normal and locked junior fishing prices, so check your eligibility rather than assuming the lower price applies.
Fishing for salmon or steelhead and fishing with two poles may require additional permits. Current resident permit fees listed by Idaho Fish and Game are $15.25 for a salmon or steelhead permit and $15 for a two-pole permit, with lower Price Lock rates for eligible residents. Current nonresident fees are $28.25 for a salmon or steelhead permit and $17 for a two-pole permit.
Products Worth Considering
Idaho Fly Fishing design. This cool vintage flyfish design from Idaho is the perfect gift for Alaskan fishermen who love fishing for trout and salmon.
Idaho Fishing Vacation design.
Vintage Fly Fish Idaho Trout Fly Fishing Art for the frequent flyer on your fly fishing gift list. Sunset Mountains river fishing ID vintage state map art fly fishing gift for those who love to fly fish Idaho streams, rivers and and lakes.
Who Needs a License
You generally need an Idaho fishing license once you reach age 14. Anglers ages 14–17 qualify for junior fishing licenses.
Resident children under 14 do not need a fishing license and have their own regular daily bag limit. Nonresident children under 14 do not need a license when accompanied by a valid Idaho fishing license holder, but their harvested fish count toward that license holder unless the child purchases a junior fishing license.
Before purchasing, also determine whether you need a salmon/steelhead permit or a two-pole permit.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase Idaho fishing licenses and permits through official Idaho Fish and Game buying channels: online, at a Fish and Game regional office, through an authorized license vendor, or by phone at 1-800-554-8685. Idaho Fish and Game notes that online and phone transactions may include a processing fee.
| Where | Price options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Available license and permit products | Processing fee may apply |
| Authorized license vendor | Available license and permit products | In-person purchase |
| Fish and Game regional office | Available license and permit products | Useful when documents or assistance are needed |
| Phone | Available products | Call 1-800-554-8685; processing fee may apply |
Official fee sources: Idaho Fish and Game resident fees and Idaho Fish and Game nonresident fees.
Important Regulations and Responsible Fishing Practices
A youth license or age exemption does not override Idaho’s fishing regulations. Always check the rules for the specific water and species before fishing because seasons, bag limits, possession limits, size restrictions, tackle restrictions, and special rules can vary by location.
Salmon and steelhead have additional permit requirements. A youth who wants an independent salmon or steelhead limit may need their own applicable permit, and junior license holders fishing for salmon or steelhead need the appropriate permit.
Using two fishing poles also requires a two-pole permit where two-pole fishing is allowed. This requirement applies regardless of the angler’s age.
Idaho’s annual Free Fishing Day removes the normal fishing-license requirement for the day, but other fishing regulations remain in force. For private ponds, a state fishing license is not required when the pond is covered by a valid Idaho Private Pond Permit and the landowner’s pond rules apply.
- Check the current rules for the exact water you plan to fish.
- Confirm salmon/steelhead permit requirements before targeting those fish.
- Buy a two-pole permit before using two poles where allowed.
- Keep the resident/nonresident youth limit rules in mind when fishing as a family.
For current licensing information, see the Idaho Fish and Game license portal. For the annual license-free event, see the Idaho Free Fishing Day page. Private pond owners can review the Private Fish Ponds guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Age Do You Need a Fishing License in Idaho?
Anyone age 14 or older generally needs a valid Idaho fishing license. Children under 14 do not need the basic license, but different resident and nonresident rules determine whether they have their own fish limit.
Do Idaho Resident Children Under 14 Need a Fishing License?
No. An Idaho resident child under 14 does not need a fishing license and may keep their own regular daily bag limit. The child must still follow applicable seasons, limits, tackle restrictions, and other fishing rules.
Do Nonresident Children Under 14 Need an Idaho Fishing License?
Not if they are accompanied by someone with a valid Idaho fishing license. However, their harvested fish count toward that license holder’s bag and possession limit. A nonresident child may buy a junior fishing license to have an independent fish limit.
How Much Is an Idaho Junior Fishing License?
The current standard resident junior license is $16 for one year or $44.50 for three years. Eligible Price Lock residents pay $13.75 or $37.75. A nonresident junior license is $23.75 annually or $67.75 for three years. Applicable Access/Depredation fees are additional.
Do You Need a Fishing License on Idaho Free Fishing Day?
No standard fishing license is required on Idaho’s annual Free Fishing Day. However, other fishing rules, including applicable limits, seasons, opening dates, and tackle restrictions, remain in effect.
Do Youth Need an Idaho Fishing License on a Private Pond?
A state fishing license is not required on a private pond covered by a valid Idaho Private Pond Permit. The permit gives the landowner authority to establish fishing regulations for that pond.
Conclusion
For most families, Idaho’s youth fishing-license rule comes down to age and residency. Resident children under 14 fish without a license and have their own regular limit. Nonresident children under 14 can fish without a license when accompanied by a valid Idaho license holder, but their harvest counts toward that person’s limit unless the child buys a junior license. Anglers ages 14–17 generally need a junior fishing license.
Before paying, check whether the resident Price Lock rate applies, include the Access/Depredation fee in your budget, and confirm whether salmon/steelhead or two-pole permits are needed. Review the current Idaho Fish and Game rules again before each trip because fees, seasons, and water-specific restrictions can change.
