Idaho Fish and Game: Southwest Region office, Nampa
Regional officeBest for: Questions and in-person license purchases for the Treasure Valley
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- (208) 465-8465
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Questions & answers
Hunting and fishing licenses for new Idaho residents
Who needs a license, when you count as a resident and where to buy
By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 29, 20265 sources
In short
Anyone 14 or older needs a license to fish in Idaho, and anyone who hunts needs one. You count as a resident only after living in Idaho for at least six months with the intent to stay, so new arrivals buy nonresident licenses until then. Idaho Code sets the base resident fees at $28.75 for fishing, $14 for hunting and $37 for a combination license; confirm the total at checkout on GoOutdoorsIdaho.
- Fishing
- License required from age 14; resident children under 14 do not need one
- Resident
- Six months living in Idaho with intent to stay, and no resident privileges claimed elsewhere
- Base fees
- Resident fishing $28.75, hunting $14, combination $37; nonresident fishing $106.25
- Hunter education
- Required if you were born after January 1, 1975, unless you held a hunting license before
- Where to buy
- GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, the Go Outdoors ID app, a license vendor or an Idaho Fish and Game office
What are the key rules?
6 monthsHow long you must live in Idaho before you can buy a resident license
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Owning property or paying property taxes does not count · Idaho Code 36-202: Definition of resident$28.75 / $106.25Base fishing license fee, resident / nonresident
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Idaho Code; confirm the total at checkout · Idaho Code 36-416: Schedule of license fees14Age at which a fishing license is required
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Resident children under 14 fish without one · Idaho Code 36-401: License requirement and exceptionsHow do I get licensed?
- 1
Work out whether you count as a resident
A resident has lived in Idaho with the intent to make it a permanent home for at least six months before applying, and claims no resident privileges in another state or country, such as a driver's license, voter registration, income tax filing or a homeowner's tax exemption. Owning property or paying property taxes in Idaho does not establish residency.
- 2
Take hunter education if you will hunt
Idaho issues no hunting license to anyone born after January 1, 1975 unless they held a valid hunting license in Idaho or another state, or show a hunter education certificate. An archery permit needs archery education or proof of an earlier archery permit.
- 3
Create a profile and buy your license
Licenses, tags and permits are sold at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com and in the Go Outdoors ID app, at license vendors and at Idaho Fish and Game offices. New customers enroll for an online profile first.
- 4
Check seasons and rules before you go
Idaho Fish and Game publishes seasons and rules for big game, upland game, migratory birds and fishing. Some hunts also need a tag or permit.
- 5
File your hunter report
Hunters submit Mandatory Hunter Reports through GoOutdoorsIdaho.
What do the base license fees cost?
| License | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing | $28.75 | $106.25 |
| Hunting | $14.00 | Not available |
| Combination (hunting and fishing) | $37.00 | $262.25 |
| Senior combination (65 and older) | $12.00 | Not available |
| Hunting with a 3-day fishing license | Not available | $183.25 |
Base fees from Idaho Code 36-416 as published by the Idaho Legislature. Tags and permits cost extra, and the total at checkout can differ from these base amounts. Source: Idaho Code 36-416: Schedule of license fees
Where can I get help locally?
Idaho Fish and Game: Headquarters, Boise
State headquartersBest for: License questions
Hunting and fishing licenses: common questions
Do children need a fishing license?
Resident children under 14 do not. A nonresident child under 14 may fish without one if accompanied by an adult with a valid fishing license, and the child's fish count toward that adult's limit.
Is there a free fishing day?
Idaho Code lets the Fish and Game Commission designate free fishing days, when no fishing license is needed. Check Idaho Fish and Game for this year's date.
Can I buy a resident license when I first move?
No. You must have lived in Idaho for at least six months before applying. Until then, buy the nonresident license.
Does owning a home in Idaho make me a resident?
No. The law says that owning real property or paying property taxes in Idaho does not by itself establish residency.
Do I need hunter education?
If you were born after January 1, 1975 and have never held a hunting license in Idaho or another state, yes: you need a hunter education certificate before Idaho will issue a hunting license.
Who do I call to report poaching?
Idaho Fish and Game lists the Citizens Against Poaching line at (800) 632-5999.
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Sources (5) · Checked Oct 29, 2026
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