Colorado Non-Resident Fishing License: Fees & Online Options
Visiting Colorado and planning to fish? You need the right nonresident license before you cast, and the cheapest option depends on how many days you’ll actually fish.
This guide explains nonresident annual, five-day, one-day, additional-day, Habitat Stamp, second-rod, SWA access, boat add-ons, online buying steps, and common visitor mistakes.
Last reviewed: June 20, 2026. Always confirm final totals and rules inside CPW Shop before payment.
The short answer: a Colorado nonresident annual fishing license costs $124.01, a five-day license costs $41.04, and a one-day license costs $21.90.
But the best option is not always the annual license. A visitor fishing one or two days may save money with short-term options, while repeat visitors may do better with an annual license.
This article is written for U.S. visitors and out-of-state anglers who want the correct license without overpaying or missing CPW rules.
Quick Answer: What Nonresident License Do You Need?
Nonresidents age 16 and older generally need a Colorado nonresident fishing license to fish in Colorado. Youth age 15 and under can fish without a license, but bag limits, possession limits, second-rod rules, and water-specific regulations still apply.
Fishing one day?
Choose the nonresident one-day license at $21.90.
Fishing 3–5 days?
The five-day license at $41.04 is often the cleanest visitor option.
Returning later?
Compare the annual license at $124.01 if you may fish Colorado more than once before March 31.
Colorado Nonresident Fishing License Fees
These are the main CPW-listed nonresident fees checked on June 20, 2026. Your CPW Shop cart is the final source because CPW can update prices and product rules.
| Nonresident License or Stamp | Who It Fits | Current Fee | Visitor Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fishing License | Nonresidents ages 16+ | $124.01 | Best for repeat visitors, long stays, seasonal anglers, or anyone fishing Colorado multiple times before March 31. |
| Five-Day Fishing License | Nonresidents ages 16+ | $41.04 | Often the easiest choice for a fishing vacation lasting several days. |
| One-Day Fishing License | Nonresidents ages 16+ | $21.90 | Best for one single planned fishing day. |
| Additional-Day Fishing | Adds one more fishing date | $9.13 | Useful when you are adding a second fishing day to a one-day license. |
| Second-Rod Stamp | Using a second rod, hand line, or tip-up where legal | $14.24 | Only needed if you fish a second line. It does not increase bag limits. |
| Annual Habitat Stamp | Generally ages 18–64 when required | $12.76 | CPW Shop should show whether it applies to your product combination. |
| Nonresident ANS Stamp | Motorboats and sailboats | $50.00 | Separate boat-related cost. Bank anglers without boats usually do not need it. |
Which Nonresident Option Is Cheapest?
The cheapest correct license depends on the number of fishing days and whether you may return to Colorado in the same license year.
| Your Colorado Trip | Likely Best Option | Estimated License Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| One afternoon or one fishing day | Nonresident one-day | $21.90 | Lowest simple option for one date. |
| Two fishing days | One-day + additional-day | $31.03 | Usually cheaper than five-day if you truly fish only two days. |
| Three to five fishing days | Five-day | $41.04 | Cleaner and often better than stacking day licenses. |
| One full fishing vacation plus possible return trip | Compare annual | $124.01 | Worth comparing if you may come back before March 31. |
| Repeat visitor, guide trip, or seasonal stay | Annual | $124.01 | Simple for multiple Colorado fishing days across the license year. |
Nonresident Cost Examples
Use these examples to estimate your visitor cost. Final amounts should always be verified in CPW Shop.
| Example Visitor | Likely Items | Estimated Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-day visitor, no second rod | One-day license | $21.90 | Simple one-date fishing trip. |
| Two-day visitor, no second rod | One-day + additional-day | $31.03 | Often cheaper than five-day if only fishing two days. |
| Five-day fishing vacation | Five-day license | $41.04 | Clean option for several fishing days. |
| Five-day visitor using two rods | Five-day + second-rod stamp | $55.28 | Only valid if second line is legal on that water. |
| Annual nonresident, Habitat Stamp required | Annual + Habitat Stamp | $136.77 | Common repeat-visitor setup before second rod or boat add-ons. |
| Annual nonresident with second rod | Annual + Habitat Stamp + second-rod stamp | $151.01 | Useful estimate for repeat visitors fishing two lines. |
| Nonresident with motorboat and five-day license | Five-day + nonresident ANS stamp | $91.04 | Boat-related costs can be bigger than the fishing license difference. |
| Nonresident youth age 15 or under | No fishing license | $0 | Bag limits still apply; second-rod stamp applies if using a second line. |
Do Nonresidents Need the Habitat Stamp?
Many nonresident anglers ages 18–64 need a Habitat Stamp, but short-term fishing has an important rule.
| Habitat Stamp Situation | What It Means for Nonresidents |
|---|---|
| Annual nonresident fishing license | Expect CPW Shop to show whether the annual Habitat Stamp is required. |
| First one-day or additional-day license | CPW says the first two one-day or additional-day fishing/small game licenses are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee. |
| Third one-day or additional-day license | The Habitat Stamp fee is assessed when a third license of that type is purchased. |
| Age under 18 or over 64 | Habitat Stamp rules depend on age and product type. Check CPW Shop before paying. |
| Special disability or exempt status | Some special programs may be exempt. Verify directly with CPW. |
For final details, use the official CPW Habitat Stamp page.
How Nonresidents Buy a Colorado Fishing License Online
The safest online purchase path is CPW Shop. This site is an independent guide and does not sell licenses.
Confirm your fishing dates first
Short-term nonresident licenses depend on date. Lock in your actual fishing day or date range before buying.
Open CPW Shop
Use the official CPW Shop page, then sign in or create an account with your legal name and correct date of birth.
Select nonresident status
If your driver license, ID, voting registration, or recent resident license activity is outside Colorado, you are usually a nonresident for CPW purposes.
Pick one-day, five-day, annual, or additional-day
Use the date and cost comparison above to avoid overpaying.
Review stamps and add-ons
Check Habitat Stamp, second-rod stamp, ANS stamp, and SWA access needs before payment.
Save your TAN and receipt
For one-day or five-day licenses bought close to the start date, you may need to use the TAN on your email confirmation. Save it offline.
After reviewing your options, use the official CPW Shop license purchase page.
Nonresident Youth Fishing License Rules
Youth rules are easy to misunderstand, especially for families visiting Colorado.
Youth 15 and under
Can fish without a Colorado fishing license. They can take a full bag and possession limit, but all fishing regulations still apply.
Nonresident youth 16–18
CPW says nonresident youth ages 16–18 must purchase the nonresident adult annual fishing license.
Second line for youth
All youth fishing with a second line must also purchase a second-rod stamp.
Who Counts as a Nonresident?
CPW has specific nonresident indicators. If you are not sure, verify before buying because resident pricing is not just about where you are staying this week.
- Your driver license or ID shows an address outside Colorado.
- You are registered to vote in another state or country.
- You claim residency in more than one state or country.
- You purchased a resident license in another state within the past six months.
- You are under 18 and your primary legal guardian is not a Colorado resident.
- You are a full-time student who has attended a Colorado university for less than six months.
Check CPW’s official nonresidents page and the official Colorado residency page if your situation is unclear.
SWA Pass, Fishing License and State Park Entry Are Different
This is a big visitor mistake. A Colorado fishing license can help with State Wildlife Area access, but it is not the same as a State Park vehicle pass.
| Product or Access Type | What It Does | Visitor Mistake to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident fishing license | Lets you fish under CPW rules and may qualify for SWA access while valid. | Assuming it covers state park vehicle entry. |
| SWA pass | Allows State Wildlife Area access if you do not hold an eligible license. | Assuming it lets you fish without a fishing license. |
| State Park pass | Vehicle or entry pass for Colorado State Parks. | Assuming it replaces a fishing license. |
| ANS stamp / boat rules | Applies to certain motorboat and sailboat use. | Assuming a fishing license covers launch requirements. |
Before visiting a wildlife area, use the official CPW State Wildlife Area finder.
Nonresident Trip Tips Before You Fish
These tips help visitors avoid the usual Colorado fishing headaches.
Save proof offline
Mountain lakes, canyons, and SWAs can have weak signal. Screenshot your license, TAN, and map before leaving.
Check short-term dates
One-day and five-day products are date-sensitive. Do not buy before your fishing dates are firm.
Fish early in summer
Warm water can stress trout. Early morning or higher elevation can be better during hot spells.
Check parking and entry
Popular reservoirs and state parks may need a separate entry pass or fill early on weekends.
Read water-specific rules
Some waters have bait restrictions, slot limits, catch-and-release rules, or seasonal closures.
Respect private property
A license does not give permission to cross private land. Use public access points and posted signs.
Where Nonresidents Can Plan a Colorado Fishing Trip
After buying the right license, use CPW tools to pick a water and check current conditions.
Fishing Atlas
Use it to find waters, species, access notes, boating information, and map details.
Fish Stocking Report
Helpful for finding recently stocked catchable trout and planning family-friendly trips.
Fishing Regulations
Check the current brochure before fishing because individual waters can have special rules.
Start with the official CPW where to fish page and the official CPW rules and regulations page.
CPW Phone Numbers, Office Address & Map
Call CPW if your nonresident status, license date, TAN, Habitat Stamp, or purchase account is unclear.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Headquarters
Address: 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
Main phone: 303-297-1192
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MST, except state holidays.
For office locations and closures, use the official CPW contact page.
Helpful Colorado Fishing Video for Visitors
This CPW-related video is useful after you understand license requirements. It helps visitors understand Colorado Gold Medal and Quality Waters before choosing where to fish.
Official CPW Links for Nonresidents
Use these official links after reading the guide. The final purchase and verification should happen on CPW’s own pages.
Verify nonresident fees, dates, youth rules, TAN rules, second-rod stamp, and digital license notes.
Buy the correct nonresident fishing license, stamp, pass, or add-on.
Check CPW nonresident definitions and related visitor rules.
Verify who needs the Habitat Stamp and how short-term exemptions work.
Check SWA access requirements and property-specific rules.
Find CPW phone numbers, offices, hours, maps, and closures.
Common Nonresident License Mistakes
- Buying the annual license for one day: One-day is usually cheaper if you only fish once.
- Buying one-day repeatedly: For three to five days, the five-day license is usually cleaner.
- Choosing the wrong date: Date-based products only work for the printed dates.
- Forgetting Habitat Stamp rules: Annual and repeat short-term buyers should check whether it applies.
- Using two rods without the stamp: A second line requires a second-rod stamp where legal.
- Assuming a fishing license covers state park entry: Park entry can be separate.
- Forgetting SWA access rules: Daily or multi-day licenses only work for SWA access on the listed dates.
- Not saving the TAN: Save the temporary authorization number before leaving cell service.
- Ignoring water-specific rules: Bag limits, bait rules, and closures can change by water.
Final Nonresident Checklist Before You Pay
- Confirm you are buying as a nonresident.
- Count your actual fishing days.
- Compare one-day, additional-day, five-day, and annual costs.
- Check whether Habitat Stamp applies.
- Add second-rod stamp only if using a second line where legal.
- Check SWA, state park, parking, boat, and ANS rules.
- Save your license, receipt, and TAN offline.
- Verify the final total in CPW Shop before paying.
Colorado Nonresident Fishing License FAQs
How much is a Colorado nonresident fishing license?
The current Colorado nonresident annual fishing license costs $124.01. Short-term options include a one-day license at $21.90 and a five-day license at $41.04.
Can nonresidents buy a one-day Colorado fishing license?
Yes. Nonresidents ages 16 and older can buy a one-day Colorado fishing license for $21.90.
How much is a Colorado nonresident five-day fishing license?
The Colorado nonresident five-day fishing license costs $41.04 for anglers ages 16 and older.
Do nonresidents need a Habitat Stamp?
Many nonresident anglers ages 18–64 need a Habitat Stamp when required. The first two one-day or additional-day licenses are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee, and the fee is assessed when a third license of that type is purchased.
Do nonresident kids need a Colorado fishing license?
Youth age 15 and under can fish without a license. CPW says nonresident youth ages 16–18 must purchase the nonresident adult annual fishing license.
Can a nonresident use two rods in Colorado?
Yes, but only where legal and with a second-rod stamp. The second-rod stamp costs $14.24 and does not increase bag limits.
Does a Colorado nonresident fishing license include state park entry?
No. A fishing license is not the same as a Colorado State Park vehicle pass. Check state park entry rules separately.
Does a nonresident fishing license allow SWA access?
An eligible fishing license can allow State Wildlife Area access, but one-day and multi-day licenses only work on the date or dates printed on the license.
Where do nonresidents buy a Colorado fishing license online?
Nonresidents should buy through the official CPW Shop, CPW phone support, CPW offices, or authorized sales agents.
Is this website an official CPW website?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Use official CPW links in this article to verify fees, buy licenses, and confirm regulations.
Internal Link Note
No internal links were added because no relevant live posts from this same website were available to verify at the time of writing. After more Colorado fishing guides are published, add only verified live internal links from the site sitemap.
Independent Guide Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. ColoradoFishingLicense.website is not an official Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. CPW fees, rules, passes, office hours, app features, license products, and access requirements can change. Always verify with CPW before buying a license or fishing.