Massachusetts Fishing & Hunting Licenses
Official fees, exemptions, stamps, tags, and hunter education rules for Massachusetts. License period: 2026, calendar year, every two years, not applicable. Last checked 2026-11-12.
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Fishing Licenses (8)
| License / Permit | Residency | Fee | Eligibility & Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Freshwater Fishing License | Resident | $40.00 | Residents; ages 15-17 free (see separate row) | Official page |
| Resident Minor Freshwater Fishing License (ages 15-17) | Resident | Free ($0.00) | Ages 15-17 | Official page |
| Non-Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing License | Non-resident | $30.50 | Nonresidents | Official page |
| Resident Freshwater Fishing, ages 65-69 (discounted) | Resident | $20.00 | Residents 65-69 (half price); US citizens only | Official page |
| Saltwater Fishing Permit (under 60) | Resident & Non-resident | $10.00 | Anglers under 60; 60 and over free | Official page |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing (annual) | Non-resident | $50.00 | Nonresidents | Official page |
| Non-resident Minor Fishing (ages 15-17) | Non-resident | $8.00 | Nonresidents aged 15-17 | Official page |
| Resident Fishing (3-day) | Resident | $20.00 | Residents | Official page |
Hunting Licenses (5)
| License / Permit | Residency | Fee | Eligibility & Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | Resident | $40.00 | Age 15 and older need a hunting license; minimum hunting age 12 | Official page |
| Non-resident Hunting, Big Game | Non-resident | $112.00 | Nonresidents 15 and older; includes 2 antlered deer tags | Official page |
| Non-resident Hunting, Small Game | Non-resident | $78.00 | Nonresidents 15 and older | Official page |
| Resident Hunting, ages 65-69 (discounted) | Resident | $20.00 | Residents 65-69 (half price); US citizens only | Official page |
| Resident Minor Hunting (ages 15-17) | Resident | $6.50 | Residents aged 15-17; includes 2 antlered deer tags | Official page |
Combination Packages (2)
| License / Permit | Residency | Fee | Eligibility & Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sporting License (hunting + freshwater fishing) | Resident | $75.00 | Includes 2 antlered deer tags valid statewide | Official page |
| Resident Sporting, ages 65-69 (discounted) | Resident | $37.50 | Residents 65-69; includes 2 antlered deer tags | Official page |
Free, Reduced, Senior & Veteran Exemptions (8)
| License / Permit | Residency | Fee | Eligibility & Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sporting Licence (age 70 or over; includes trapping) | Resident | Free ($0.00) | resident age 70 or over | Official page |
| Resident Fishing (age 70 or over; or paraplegic blind or intellectually disabled) | Resident | Free ($0.00) | resident age 70 or over; or paraplegic blind or intellectually disabled | Official page |
| Resident Fishing (age 65 to 69) | Resident | $20.00 | resident age 65 to 69 | Official page |
| Resident Hunting (age 65 to 69) | Resident | $20.00 | resident age 65 to 69 | Official page |
| Free licence for paraplegic blind or intellectually disabled residents and non-residents (fishing hunting or sporting) | Resident & Non-resident | Free ($0.00) | paraplegic blind or intellectually disabled applicants | Official page |
| Resident Minor Fishing (age 15 to 17) | Resident | Free ($0.00) | resident age 15 to 17 | Official page |
| Saltwater fishing permit (anglers 60 and over) | Resident & Non-resident | Free ($0.00) | anglers age 60 and over | Official page |
| Veteran or military hunting or fishing licence discount | Resident & Non-resident | Not shown | veterans and active military | Official page |
Hunter Education Requirements (2)
| License / Permit | Residency | Fee | Eligibility & Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Hunter Education in-person traditional course | Resident & Non-resident | Free ($0.00) | required for all first-time adult hunters; youth 12 to 17 follow age-specific rules | Official page |
| Basic Hunter Education blended format (online study guide plus one field day) | Resident & Non-resident | Free ($0.00) | required for all first-time adult hunters; youth 12 to 17 follow age-specific rules | Official page |