How To Get an Oregon Out-of-State Fishing License in 2025

 “This article has been updated since May 2025. Always check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the latest updates on laws and regulations before purchasing a license.”

With its pristine waters, stunning diverse landscapes, and legendary abundance of fish, Oregon stands as a premier destination that draws fishing enthusiasts from across the country. It’s no surprise that anglers regularly make the pilgrimage across state lines just to experience what the Pacific Northwest has to offer!

But before you can explore one of Oregon’s many spectacular rivers and cast your line into these famed waters, you’ll need to secure an out-of-state fishing license. 

Keep reading to discover how to obtain your 2025 Oregon out-of-state fishing license—and the insider tips to ensure your trip to the Beaver State becomes an unforgettable fishing adventure.

Table of Contents

• Who Needs an Out-of-State Fishing License in Oregon?
• Types of Oregon Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
• Where to Buy Your Oregon Fishing License
• FAQs About Out-of-State Oregon Fishing Licenses
• Tips for a Successful Oregon Fishing Trip
• Book Your Oregon Fishing Adventure With Pacific Drifter Guide Service

Who Needs an Out-of-State Fishing License in Oregon?

Any person who has physically resided in Oregon for at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for a license is considered a resident and can purchase a standard Oregon fishing license.

Suppose you don’t meet this residency requirement. In that case, you’ll need to purchase a non-resident angling license instead, along with any appropriate tags and endorsements depending on what species you’re targeting and where you plan to fish.

What Is the Difference Between an Oregon Resident Fishing License and an Oregon Out-of-State Fishing License?

There is not much difference between an out-of-state fishing license (non-resident) and a resident fishing license. In fact, the only difference is price! This main difference may also apply to specific tags, endorsements, and validations that may be required to angle in certain areas and circumstances. 

Types of Oregon Non-Resident Fishing Licenses, Tags, Validations, and Endorsements

Oregon’s angling requirements can be as winding as the Willamette or Columbia River. Fortunately, Pacific Drifter Guide Service knows these waters like the back of their hand, along with all the necessary licenses and permits required for fishing in them!

Remember, Oregon’s angling laws and regulations are subject to change on a yearly or even monthly basis. Always check with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for the latest information. 

General Licensing 

An Adult General Oregon Angling License includes the basic legal right to fish for or help take fish in Oregon for personal use, but does not automatically include certain tags or validations required for specific species or locations. 

An Adult General Oregon Angling License provides legal coverage when angling for:

• Trout
• Bass
• Panfish
• Crappie
• Walleye
• Catfish
• Other non-tagged species

Young anglers between the ages of 12 and 17 need a $10 Youth License, whether they are residents or nonresidents. 

However, you do not need an angling license if:

• It’s a designated Free Fishing Weekend (areas and restrictions apply).
• You’re taking crayfish or bullfrogs.
• You’re an Oregon resident landowner fishing on your own land (but not for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut).
• You’re fishing on land owned by an immediate family member and you live there (again, not for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut).

General Angling License Costs for Residents and Non-Residents

License Type	Eligibility	Resident Price	Nonresident Price
Annual Angling	12+ years old	$44.00	$110.50
Youth License	Under 12 years old *also includes fishing, hunting, shellfishing licenses, and Columbia River Basin Endorsement	$10	$10
Daily Angling (1-day)	All	$23.00*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag	$23.00*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag
2-Day Angling	All	$42.00*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag	$42.00*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag
3-Day Angling	All	$59.50*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag	$59.50*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag
7-Day Angling	Nonresident only	N/A	$93.50*includes Adult Combined Angling Tag

Keep in mind, prices are subject to change.

Angling Tags

Some fish require special tagging. So, here is what you need to know:

• Adult Combined Angling Tag:  
  • Required for all anglers, regardless of age, when fishing for:
    • Salmon
    • Steelhead
    • Sturgeon
    • Halibut
  • Limit: One per year, good for up to 20 salmon and/or steelhead. After you reach the 20 fish limit, you have reached your yearly limit and may not purchase another Combined Angling tag. However, you can continue to harvest hatchery (clipped fin) salmon and steelhead by purchasing additional Hatchery Harvest Tags.
  • Adult wild or hatchery salmon or steelhead must be recorded immediately after harvest unless released. 
  • Includes fields to record:
    • Species code
    • Location code
    • Date of harvest
  • Included with daily or multi-day licenses.
  • Jack salmon do not need to be tagged if caught.
• Youth Combined Angling Tag: Same details for Adult Combined Angling Tags apply for the Youth Combined Angling Tag. 
• Hatchery Harvest Card/Tag: 
  • Optional tag to record hatchery salmon and steelhead only.
  • Can be purchased in addition to the Combined Angling Tag.
  • Useful if you want to save space on your main tag.
  • You can buy multiple Hatchery Harvest Tags.

Tagging rules and reminders:

• All tags must be signed and in your possession while fishing.
• The angler who lands the fish must be the one to record it.
• Use a pen and record immediately after harvesting eligible fish.
• Tags must remain their original size (8.5″ x 11″). Do not resize, shrink, photocopy, or laminate them.

Angling Tag Costs for Residents and Non-Residents

Tag Type	Required For	Resident	Nonresident
Adult Combined Angling Tag (ages 12+)	Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut	$46.00	$66.00
Youth Combined Angling Tag (12 years and under)	Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut	$5.00	$5.00
Hatchery Salmon/Steelhead Tag	Optional – hatchery fish only	$33.00	$33.00

Keep in mind, prices are subject to change.

Endorsements and Validations

In some areas, you’ll need more than a tag and a license. Here is what you need to know about the endorsements and validations required for angling in certain areas or situations:

• Columbia River Endorsement: 
  • Applies to the Columbia River (from Buoy 10 upstream) and all tributaries flowing into it. 
  • It is required for all anglers, regardless of age and residency status, who are fishing for:
    • Salmon
    • Sturgeon
    • Steelhead
• Two-Rod Validation: 
  • It is required when fishing with two in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs (including Snake River impoundments)
  • Allows up to five rods when ice fishing
  • It is not required for Anglers over the age of 12
  • Unless specified in the regulation updates, it is not valid in:
    • Columbia River and impoundments
    • River backwaters, sloughs
    • Bays, estuaries, or the ocean
    • Coastal lakes during wild coho salmon season
• Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation
  • Required for anyone fishing for steelhead in the Rogue-South Coast area between Dec 1 and Apr 30.
  • Must be paired with a valid angling license and a Combined Angling Tag (or daily/multi-day license with an ODFW ID).
  • Must also be associated with a Rogue-South Coast Wild Steelhead Harvest Tag

Endorsement & Validation Costs for Residents and Non-Residents

Type	Details	Price
Columbia River Basin Endorsement	Required in the Columbia Basin & its tributaries	$9.75 (with license), $11.75 (separate)
Columbia River Basin Daily Endorsement	Add-on per day for daily licenses	$1.00/day * If purchasing a three-day license and tag, you will need to add 3 days of the Columbia River Basin Endorsement for an extra $3
Two-Rod Validation	Allows two rods in specific waterbodies	$28.00
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation	Required Dec–Apr for steelhead in that region	Not priced separately – must be in possession

Keep in mind, prices are subject to change.

Where To Buy Your Oregon Fishing License

ODFW offers either paper or electronic licenses through two systems: traditional paper licenses and tags, or the Electronic Licensing System (ELS), also known as e-tagging.

Oregon gives you the flexibility to purchase your license and tags either online or in-store, but there are a few things to keep in mind with the online option.

If you purchase a license as a guest (without creating an account), you’re automatically enrolled in paper tagging. You must print out your documents and bring your physical license while fishing. However, if you create a full account through the ELS system, you can choose between paper tagging or e-tagging. If you opt for e-tagging, you must download the MyODFW app to tag your fish.

You can create an account, log in, and purchase online licenses here. To learn more about in-store licensing and permit purchasing, click here. 

FAQs About Out-of-State Oregon Fishing Licenses

Does Oregon Offer Discounts for Non-Resident Veterans or Seniors

Oregon offers discounted angling licenses for senior residents only. However, non-resident members of the U.S. military are eligible for a reduced-rate Uniformed Services Angling License, available for $44 (annual license) through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

Do Children Under 12 Need an Oregon Out-of-State Fishing License?

Yes, but a free angling license is offered and required to purchase a $5 Youth Angling Combined Angling Tag if planning on fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut. 

Be aware: there are some fisheries like Buoy 10 where it’s big water with lots of waves and wind chop. As a professional Portland fishing guide, my personal and general rule for environments like this is that the child should be able to swim. 

Interested in growing your young anglers’ passion for fishing? Nothing can compare to hooking your first Chinook or coho salmon. At Pacific Drifter Guide Service, I take pride in sharing my knowledge and expertise with interested anglers of all ages. Contact me to start planning your trip today. 

Can You Catch-and-Release Without a Fishing License in Oregon?

No, all persons 12 years or older must possess a valid Oregon Angling License to angle for, take, or help another angle for or take any fish for personal use.

Are There Any Other Fishing Regulations That Out-of-Towners Should Know?

Each season and river has its own set of regulations, rules, and catch limits. 

The following links contain the current bag limits, size limits, seasons, and other regulations for some standard angling zones in Oregon:

• Willamette Zone 
  • The Willamette Zone includes all waters draining to the Columbia River from St. Helens to Bonneville Dam, excluding tributary sections east of the Sandy River below the Union Pacific Railroad line. It also includes all waters on Sauvie Island, except the Columbia River.
• Columbia River Zone:
  • The Columbia River Zone includes all Columbia River waters upstream of Buoy 10, plus parts of tributaries below railroad bridges near their mouths, excluding the Willamette, Sandy, Hood, Deschutes, Umatilla, Skipanon rivers, and Youngs Bay. However, it does include specific sections like Camas Slough and parts of the Umatilla, Deschutes, and Skipanon rivers.
• Northwest River Zone 
  • The Northwest Zone includes all waters north of the Umpqua River draining directly to the Pacific, excluding the Umpqua drainage. It also covers Columbia River tributaries below St. Helens and areas upstream of certain bridges, like the Skipanon River and Youngs Bay. Marine species regulations are found under the Marine Zone.

Book Your Oregon Fishing Adventure With Pacific Drifter Guide Service

While I may not be a bureaucrat, I am a seasoned pro who has had the pleasure of guiding countless out-of-state anglers on the Oregon waters I call home. Over the years, I’ve helped many charter guests navigate the licensing requirements for waterways and watersheds throughout the region.

Oregon’s fishing regulations can seem confusing and complicated, but they’re vital for protecting these pristine angling areas and preserving the sport we’re all passionate about.

Ready to plan your Oregon fishing adventure? The first step is reaching out to me to check the schedule and find dates that work for you. Once your trip is booked, you can use this guide to obtain your Oregon out-of-state fishing license or contact me directly—I’m happy to walk you through the entire process.