Hunting season is here
Purchase hunting and sporting licenses as well as permits and stamps online today. Surplus Antlerless Deer Permits go on sale in late September:
Zone 11: Sept. 29 at 9 a.m.
Zone 10: Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.
Zones 9, 13, 14: Oct. 1 at 9 a.m.
Fall stocking has begun
Close to 60,000 rainbow trout that are 12 inches or longer and at least 4,000 brown trout about 9+ inches long will be stocked across Massachusetts. Go toMass.gov/Trout for a daily stocking report.
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License types & fees
| Fishing license type | Fee |
| Saltwater fishing (age 16 and over; valid in CT, NH, and RI) | $10.00 |
| Saltwater fishing (60 and over) | Free |
| Resident non-commercial lobster | $55.00 |
| Resident freshwater fishing | $27.50 |
| Resident minor freshwater fishing (age 15–17) | Free |
| Resident freshwater fishing (age 65–69) | $16.25 |
| Resident freshwater fishing (age 70 and over) or paraplegic, blind, intellectually disabled | Free |
| Resident freshwater fishing (3 day) | $12.50 |
| Non-resident freshwater fishing | $37.50 |
| Non-resident freshwater fishing (age 15–17) | $11.50 |
| Non-resident freshwater fishing (3 day) | $23.50 |
| Quabbin Reservoir fishing (1 day) | $5.00 |
| Sporting license type (freshwater fishing and hunting) | Fee |
| Resident sporting | $45.00 |
| Resident sporting (age 65–69) | $25.00 |
| Resident sporting (age 70 and older, includes trapping) | Free |
| Hunting license type and stamps | Fee |
| Resident hunting | $27.50 |
| Resident minor hunting (age 15–17) | $11.50 |
| Resident hunting (age 65–69) | $16.25 |
| Resident or non-resident hunting paraplegic | Free |
| Non-resident (adult/minor) big game hunting (deer, bear, turkey, and all other game species) | $99.50 |
| Non-resident (adult/minor) small game hunting (all game species except deer, bear, and turkey) | $65.50 |
| Resident or non-resident commercial shooting preserve (1 day) | $10.00 |
| Archery stamp | $5.10 |
| Waterfowl stamp | $5.00 |
| Primitive firearms stamp | $5.10 |
| Bear permit | $5.00 |
| Antlerless deer permit (when issued) | $5.00 |
| Turkey permit | $5.00 |
| Trapping license type | Fee |
| Resident trapping | $35.50 |
| Resident minor trapping (age 12–17) | $11.50 |
| Resident trapping (age 65–69) | $20.25 |
NOTE: In each calendar year, the cost for all first resident licenses and all non-resident licenses includes a $5 fee for the Wildlands Conservation Stamp (except for saltwater licenses). All online purchases include a $1.34 service fee per license, plus a 3% internet handling charge on the total transaction.
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Who needs a license?
Hunting
If you’re 15 or older, you need a hunting license. Learn more about special regulations and purchasing rules for hunters aged 12-17. Those under age 12 may not hunt.
Freshwater fishing
If you're 15 or older, you need a license to fish in fresh water. Those under 15 can fish in fresh water for free without a license.
Saltwater fishing
If you're 16 or older, you need a permit to fish in salt water. You do not need a permit if you have a valid saltwater fishing permit from CT, NH, or RI, or if you are fishing on a permitted for-hire vessels. Those under 16 can fish in salt water for free without a license.
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Learn to fish and hunt
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, MassWildlife, DMF, and their partners offer many great opportunities to learn fishing and hunting techniques. Most courses are free and provide hands-on learning opportunities.
Freshwater fishing classes
Saltwater fishing classes
Hunting classes
