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Fishing in United States

Each state manages independently; NOAA for federal marine waters · fisheries.noaa.gov

Plan your trip with up-to-date fishing rules in United States, where to buy a United States fishing license, common fish species (Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, Brown trout), closed seasons and key waters. All info is sourced from Each state manages independently; NOAA for federal marine waters.

United States fishing guide — license, rules and species

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Licenses & permits

Where to buy

  • Federal directory (all 50 states) — US Fish & Wildlife Service · Varies
  • Non-resident licenses — Each state · Typically 2–5× resident price
  • Tourist short-term licenses — Most states · Daily / 3-day / 7-day options

Regional licenses

General rules

Species-specific rules

SpeciesWaterMin sizeBag limitClosed seasonNotes
Largemouth bass—12–15" (30–38 cm)5–6/day—Slot limits common
Smallmouth bass—12–15" (30–38 cm)5–6/day—Often same as largemouth
Rainbow trout—8–12" (20–30 cm)2–8/day—Wild vs hatchery rules differ
Brown trout—8–15" (20–38 cm)2–5/day—Often separate from rainbow
Walleye—15–18" (38–46 cm)3–6/day—Important in Midwest/Great Lakes
Northern pike—24–30" (61–76 cm)2–5/day——
Channel catfish—12–15" (30–38 cm)5–15/day—Liberal limits in most states
Crappie—9–10" (23–25 cm)15–30/day—Liberal limits
Striped bass—28–31" (71–79 cm)1–2/day—Slot limits increasing
Bluefin tuna—Federal permit1/day—NOAA Highly Migratory Species
Red drum—18–27" (46–69 cm)1–3/day—Slot limits common

Common species in United States

EnglishLocalScientificFAOMin sizeClosed seasonMethodsKey waters
Largemouth bass—Micropterus salmoides
LMB
12–15" (30–38 cm)—Spin, fly, plastic wormsAll states, lakes/rivers
Smallmouth bass—Micropterus dolomieu
SMB
12–15" (30–38 cm)—Spin, fly, jigGreat Lakes, Ozarks, NE
Rainbow trout—Oncorhynchus mykiss
TRR
8–12" (20–30 cm)—Fly, spinWestern streams, stocked
Brown trout—Salmo trutta
TRS
8–15" (20–38 cm)—Fly, spinNE, Great Lakes tribs
Brook trout—Salvelinus fontinalis
BKT
6–8" (15–20 cm)—FlyAppalachian streams
Walleye—Sander vitreus
WAL
15–18" (38–46 cm)—Jig, trolling, live baitGreat Lakes, Midwest
Northern pike—Esox lucius
FPI
24–30" (61–76 cm)—Spin, fly, dead baitGreat Lakes, MN, WI
Musky—Esox masquinongy
MUE
36–50" (91–127 cm)—Spin, trollingWI, MN, WV, Great Lakes
Channel catfish—Ictalurus punctatus
CCF
12–15" (30–38 cm)—Bottom, cut bait, stink baitNationwide rivers/lakes
Striped bass—Morone saxatilis
STB
28–31" (71–79 cm)—Trolling, spin, baitAtlantic coast, Chesapeake
Red drum—Sciaenops ocellatus
RDM
18–27" (46–69 cm)—Spin, fly, baitGulf coast, SE Atlantic
Bluegill—Lepomis macrochirus
BLG
——Worm, fly, jigAll states
Crappie—Pomoxis spp.—9–10" (23–25 cm)—Jig, minnowSouthern/Midwest lakes
Chinook salmon—Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
CHK
Varies—Trolling, flyPacific NW, Great Lakes
Atlantic salmon—Salmo salar
SAL
Varies—FlyMaine, NE rivers
Bluefin tuna—Thunnus thynnus
BFT
Federal permit—TrollingAtlantic coast
White sturgeon—Acipenser transmontanus—C&R only (CA)—BottomColumbia, Sacramento

Frequently asked questions about fishing in United States

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Disclaimer: regulations vary by region and change frequently. Always verify with the official source before fishing.