Mississippi fishing license costs in 2026 start at $10 for a resident annual Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license and $68 for a non-resident annual freshwater license. Residents can also buy a $3 three-day freshwater license, while non-residents can choose a $10 one-day or $30 three-day freshwater license. Mississippi residents age 65 and older are exempt from the standard freshwater license requirement, although a lifetime saltwater license is required if they fish saltwater.
Where you fish matters as much as residency. A freshwater license is required on public waters north of Interstate 10, a saltwater license is required south of U.S. Highway 90, and either a freshwater or saltwater license can be used on public waters between I-10 and U.S. 90. Mississippi residents fishing privately owned ponds and streams are outside the standard resident public-water license requirement.
Source note: Fees and rules below were checked against the current MDWFP fishing license requirements and the 2026–27 resident and non-resident license tables. Published subtotals below combine the listed license price, agent fee, and processing fee. Additional eGov or credit-card charges may apply to some electronic purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Residents age 16–64: Standard annual freshwater access starts with the $10 Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license; a $3 three-day freshwater option is also available.
- Non-residents age 16+: Annual freshwater is $68, three-day freshwater is $30, and one-day freshwater is $10.
- Residents age 65+: Standard freshwater licensing is exempt; the voluntary Senior Exempt Lifetime license is $2.30 base. Saltwater fishing requires the $5 base Senior Lifetime Saltwater License.
- Under 16: Both resident and non-resident anglers under 16 are exempt from the standard fishing-license requirement.
- Freshwater vs. saltwater: Freshwater is required north of I-10, saltwater south of U.S. 90, and either privilege works between those two highways.
- Fees: The current listed processing fee is $2.49. Agent fees vary by license instead of using one flat non-resident surcharge.
Mississippi Fishing License Costs at a Glance
| License | Base Price | Agent Fee | Processing Fee | Published Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing | $10.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $13.49 |
| Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing | $3.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $6.49 |
| Resident Saltwater Fishing | $10.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $13.49 |
| Resident Senior Exempt Lifetime, voluntary | $2.30 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $5.79 |
| Resident Senior Lifetime Saltwater | $5.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $8.49 |
| Non-Resident Annual Freshwater Fishing | $68.00 | $3.00 | $2.49 | $73.49 |
| Non-Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing | $30.00 | $2.00 | $2.49 | $34.49 |
| Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing | $10.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $13.49 |
| Non-Resident Saltwater Fishing | $30.00 | $3.00 | $2.49 | $35.49 |
| Non-Resident Armed Forces 14-Day License | $45.00 | $1.00 | $2.49 | $48.49 |
Important: These subtotals use the fees published in the current 2026–27 license tables. Electronic transactions may have additional eGov or credit-card charges, so confirm the final amount in the licensing portal before paying.
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Who Needs a Mississippi Fishing License in 2026
Mississippi residents age 16 through 64 generally need a fishing license when fishing public fresh or marine waters. The resident rule includes lakes and reservoirs but excludes privately owned ponds and streams. Non-resident anglers age 16 and older generally need the appropriate Mississippi fishing license; non-resident minors under 16 are exempt.
Residents under 16 do not need a standard license and may purchase a voluntary Youth Exempt license. Mississippi residents age 65 and older are exempt from the standard freshwater fishing license requirement, although they must carry proof of age and residency unless they use the voluntary Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege.
Residents age 16–64 generally need a license on Mississippi public waters; resident seniors 65+ are exempt from standard freshwater licensing, and resident or non-resident anglers under 16 are exempt from the standard fishing-license requirement.
Qualifying Mississippi residents who are blind, paraplegic, multiple amputees, adjudged 100% disabled by the Social Security Administration, or 100% service-connected disabled by qualifying agencies can also be exempt. Required proof should be carried while fishing unless the angler has the applicable exempt credential.
A WMA User Permit is generally required when fishing on an MDWFP Wildlife Management Area in addition to any required fishing license, but anglers who qualify for a hunting/fishing-license exemption can also qualify for the WMA permit exemption. On U.S. Forest Service Wildlife Management Areas, the WMA permit requirement applies to hunting, fishing, and trapping activities rather than every type of use.
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Resident Fishing License Types and Costs
For a Mississippi resident who only needs normal annual freshwater access, the $10 Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license is the lowest-cost standard annual option. A resident planning only a short freshwater trip can instead use the $3 three-day freshwater license.
If you also hunt, the $25 All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license or $45 Sportsman License may make more sense depending on the hunting privileges you need. The Sportsman License includes freshwater fishing and additional hunting privileges, but it does not automatically include saltwater fishing, the WMA User Permit, or every state and federal stamp or permit.
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Which Resident License Should You Choose?
- Freshwater fishing for the year: $10 Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing.
- Freshwater fishing for three days: $3 Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing.
- Freshwater plus saltwater: the current MDWFP licensing portal lists an Avid Angler package that combines Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing and Saltwater Fishing.
- Hunting plus freshwater fishing: compare the $25 All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license with the $45 Sportsman License based on the hunting privileges you need.
What Fees Are Added to Resident Licenses?
For the resident fishing licenses listed above, the current published fees generally add a $1 agent fee and a $2.49 processing fee. That makes a $10 Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license $13.49 using the published license, agent, and processing charges, while the $3 three-day freshwater license reaches $6.49.
Electronic purchases may have an additional eGov fee or credit-card processing charge, so treat those figures as published subtotals rather than guaranteed final checkout prices.
What Age Exemptions Apply to Mississippi Residents?
Residents under 16 are exempt from the standard fishing-license requirement. They may buy a voluntary Youth Exempt license for $2.30 base plus the listed fees.
Residents age 65 and older are exempt from the standard freshwater fishing-license requirement. The current voluntary Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege is $2.30 base and includes freshwater fishing and WMA privileges while the holder remains eligible.
Qualifying disabled Mississippi residents are also exempt when they meet the state requirements and carry the required proof. A voluntary Disabled Exempt credential is available for anglers who prefer to carry the state-issued privilege instead of relying only on supporting documentation.
Non-Resident Fishing Licenses and Fees
Non-resident anglers age 16 and older generally need a Mississippi fishing license. For freshwater, the current choices include a $68 annual license, $30 three-day license, and $10 one-day license.
The agent fee depends on the license: $3 for annual freshwater, $2 for the three-day freshwater license, and $1 for the one-day freshwater license. The current processing fee for each is $2.49. Using those published charges, the subtotals are $73.49 for annual freshwater, $34.49 for three days, and $13.49 for one day before any additional electronic-payment charges.
Non-resident minors under 16 are exempt from the standard fishing-license requirement.
Louisiana residents have a special marine-water rule: when fishing Mississippi marine waters, they must purchase both the Non-Resident Freshwater privilege and the separate Non-Resident LA Saltwater Fishing privilege.
The current Non-Resident Armed Forces 14-Day License is $45 base plus a $1 agent fee and $2.49 processing fee. It includes freshwater fishing and specified hunting privileges but does not include saltwater fishing. Eligible applicants must use the MDWFP Armed Forces application process.
Short-Term and Special Licenses (1-Day, 3-Day, Armed Forces)
Short-term licenses are useful when an annual license does not match the length of your trip. The current freshwater choices are straightforward:
- Non-Resident 1-Day Freshwater Fishing: $10 base + $1 agent fee + $2.49 processing fee = $13.49 published subtotal.
- Non-Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing: $30 base + $2 agent fee + $2.49 processing fee = $34.49 published subtotal.
- Resident 3-Day Freshwater Fishing: $3 base + $1 agent fee + $2.49 processing fee = $6.49 published subtotal.
- Non-Resident Armed Forces 14-Day License: $45 base + $1 agent fee + $2.49 processing fee = $48.49 published subtotal; saltwater is excluded.
The 3-Day Sportsman Apprentice License is different from a normal short-term fishing license. It is a resident apprentice hunting privilege that also includes freshwater fishing. It is intended for qualifying apprentice hunters and requires the hunting supervision specified by MDWFP.
Exemptions, Senior and Lifetime Options
Mississippi residents age 65 and older do not have to buy the standard annual freshwater fishing license. They must carry proof of age and Mississippi residency while using the exemption unless they use the voluntary Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege.
The voluntary Senior Exempt Lifetime license is $2.30 base. With the currently listed $1 agent fee and $2.49 processing fee, the published subtotal is $5.79 before any additional electronic-payment charges.
Saltwater is different. Residents age 65 and older who fish saltwater must purchase the Senior Lifetime Saltwater License. Its base price is $5; with the listed $1 agent fee and $2.49 processing fee, the published subtotal is $8.49 before any additional electronic-payment charges.
Qualifying disabled Mississippi residents can be exempt from the standard hunting and fishing license requirement but must carry the required proof of residency and disability or other qualifying condition unless they use the applicable exempt credential.
Do Mississippi Seniors Need a Fishing License?
For freshwater, a Mississippi resident age 65 or older is exempt from buying the standard fishing license. The Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege is voluntary and provides a convenient state-issued credential. For saltwater fishing, however, a resident age 65 or older must purchase the Senior Lifetime Saltwater License.
- Freshwater standard license: exempt for eligible Mississippi residents age 65+.
- Senior Exempt Lifetime: voluntary, $2.30 base.
- Senior Lifetime Saltwater: required for eligible resident seniors who fish saltwater, $5 base.
- Carry proof of age and residency when relying on an exemption.
What Lifetime License Options Are Available?
Mississippi lists a Lifetime Sportsman License at $500 for birth through age 12 and $1,000 for age 13 and older. Resident lifetime applicants must meet MDWFP domicile requirements.
The state also lists a Non-Resident Mississippi Native Lifetime License at $1,500. Eligibility depends on Mississippi-native status and the birth/residency documentation required by MDWFP.
These lifetime options are separate from the $2.30 Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege and the $5 Senior Lifetime Saltwater License.
Do You Need a Freshwater or Saltwater License?
Mississippi divides recreational fishing privileges by location. A freshwater fishing license is required on public waters north of Interstate 10. A saltwater fishing license is required on public waters south of U.S. Highway 90. On public waters south of I-10 and north of U.S. 90, either a freshwater or saltwater fishing license is valid.
This boundary matters for coastal trips because simply choosing a license labeled “fishing” is not enough; you need the privilege that applies to the water you will actually fish. Louisiana residents should also remember the separate rule requiring both the non-resident freshwater and LA saltwater privileges when fishing Mississippi marine waters.
How to Buy Your Mississippi Fishing License
You can purchase a Mississippi fishing license through the official MDWFP online licensing portal or use the MDWFP Licenses & Permits page to find licensing information and authorized vendors.
Choose the license by residency, fishing location, and trip length before paying; freshwater, saltwater, short-term, senior, and non-resident privileges are not interchangeable in every situation.
Before purchasing, have the identification or residency documentation required for your license type. Annual licenses are generally valid for one year from their date of issuance, while trip licenses expire according to their stated one-day, three-day, or other short-term period.
- Confirm whether you qualify as a resident or non-resident.
- Determine whether you will fish north of I-10, south of U.S. 90, or in the zone between them.
- Choose annual or short-term coverage based on your trip.
- Check whether an age, disability, military, or other exemption applies.
- Review the final checkout amount because electronic payment charges may be added.
Carry the required license or exemption documentation while fishing and follow current MDWFP and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources rules for the water you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Are Fishing Licenses in Mississippi in 2026?
For residents, annual freshwater access starts at $10 with the Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license, while a three-day freshwater license is $3. Non-resident freshwater costs $68 annually, $30 for three days, or $10 for one day. Agent and processing fees are added, and electronic-payment charges may also apply.
Who Needs a Mississippi Fishing License?
Mississippi residents age 16 through 64 generally need a license to fish public fresh or marine waters, except privately owned ponds and streams under the resident rule. Non-resident anglers age 16 and older generally need the appropriate license. Age, disability, military, and other statutory exemptions can apply.
Do Seniors Need a Fishing License in Mississippi?
Mississippi residents age 65 and older are exempt from the standard freshwater fishing license requirement. They may purchase the voluntary $2.30 base Senior Exempt Lifetime privilege. Residents 65 and older who fish saltwater must purchase the $5 base Senior Lifetime Saltwater License.
What License Do I Need for Saltwater Fishing in Mississippi?
A saltwater license is required on public waters south of U.S. Highway 90. Either a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90. North of Interstate 10, a freshwater license is required.
Do Non-Resident Children Need a Mississippi Fishing License?
Non-resident anglers under age 16 are exempt from the standard Mississippi fishing-license requirement. Non-residents age 16 and older generally need the appropriate freshwater or saltwater privilege.
Can You Get a Lifetime Fishing License in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi lists a Resident Lifetime Sportsman License at $500 for birth through age 12 and $1,000 for age 13 and older, plus a $1,500 Non-Resident Mississippi Native Lifetime License for eligible applicants. Residents age 65 and older also have separate senior lifetime and exempt options.
Conclusion
Mississippi fishing-license requirements depend on your residency, age, fishing location, and trip length. Residents can start with a $10 annual freshwater option or $3 three-day license, while non-residents have $68 annual, $30 three-day, and $10 one-day freshwater choices. Residents age 65 and older are exempt from standard freshwater licensing but need the lifetime saltwater privilege if they fish saltwater.
Before your trip, confirm the water falls in the freshwater, saltwater, or I-10/U.S. 90 overlap zone, review any exemption you plan to use, and check the current MDWFP licensing portal for the final price and required documentation.
