US Fishing License Reciprocity 2026 — Border-Water Cross-State Agreements

Geographic scope

Main stem of the Ohio River from the river's confluence with the Mississippi upstream to the Kentucky / West Virginia state line, plus tributaries upstream to the first riffle or first dam.

Which licence is honored

A valid Kentucky or Indiana fishing license — resident or non-resident — is honored on the Ohio River main stem by either state's wildlife officers. You still need the license of the state whose tributary you enter beyond the first riffle.

Limits of the compact

• Bait, tackle, and creel limits follow the state whose license you hold on the day of the trip.
• Trout-stocked tributaries and special-regulation reservoirs require the licence of the actual state, not the Ohio River reciprocity.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River impoundment) and Lake Barkley (Cumberland River impoundment), in both Kentucky and Tennessee.

Which licence is honored

A valid resident or non-resident fishing license from either Kentucky or Tennessee is honored on the two impoundments. Cross-state anglers may fish either lake under either licence.

Limits of the compact

• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose license the angler is using.
• Trout-related stamps and species-specific permits are NOT covered — buy the destination state's stamp separately.
• Boundary applies on the open water of the impoundments only; tributary creeks and tailwaters revert to the home-state license.

Geographic scope

Tidal Potomac River from Little Falls (just above Washington, DC) downstream to the mouth at Point Lookout, including Maryland and Virginia tidal embayments off the main stem.

Which licence is honored

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission issues a sport-fishing licence (PRFC tidal-Potomac licence) that is valid for the entire tidal Potomac. In addition, a valid Maryland tidal-water fishing licence and a valid Virginia saltwater fishing licence are recognised on the tidal Potomac under the interstate compact administered by PRFC.

Limits of the compact

• Non-tidal Potomac (above Little Falls) requires the Maryland freshwater non-tidal licence — Virginia's licence does NOT cover it.
• Recreational crab and oyster regulations are governed separately by PRFC and may require additional permits.
• DC waters of the Potomac (south of the Maryland line) are administered by the DC Department of Energy & Environment under a separate licence.

Geographic scope

The Salmon Falls River, which forms the southern boundary between Maine and New Hampshire, plus a handful of small lakes and ponds on the boundary explicitly named in each state's reciprocity statute.

Which licence is honored

A valid Maine or New Hampshire freshwater fishing licence is honored on the boundary waters. Both states list the specific lakes / pond names in their reciprocity provisions — anglers should verify the destination water by name in the current state booklet.

Limits of the compact

• Reciprocity applies only to waters explicitly named in the boundary-waters statute, not to tributaries.
• Migratory anadromous-fish stamps (Atlantic salmon, smelt) follow each state's own rules and are not covered.
• The agreement is silent on shellfish, baitfish harvest, and tournament permits — book those with the destination state.

Geographic scope

Connecticut River main stem from the Massachusetts state line upstream to the Canadian border, including the four reservoirs (Wilder, Bellows Falls, Vernon, Moore / Comerford) on the NH / VT boundary.

Which licence is honored

Either a New Hampshire or a Vermont fishing licence is valid on the main stem of the Connecticut River and its boundary impoundments. The reciprocity applies to the river itself, not to side tributaries on either bank.

Limits of the compact

• New Hampshire owns the river to the Vermont low-water mark, but the reciprocity statute lets either state's licensed angler fish the entire main stem.
• Tributaries on the Vermont side beyond the low-water mark require a Vermont licence; tributaries on the NH side require an NH licence.
• Two-pole, trout, and Atlantic-salmon stamps follow the angler's home licence — not interchangeable across states.

Geographic scope

Non-tidal main stem of the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the New York / Pennsylvania boundary downstream to the head of tide at Trenton Falls.

Which licence is honored

A valid Pennsylvania or New Jersey freshwater fishing licence is honored anywhere on the main stem of the Delaware River between the two states. Either licence is sufficient for boat or wading anglers on the river itself.

Limits of the compact

• Tributaries on the Pennsylvania bank require a Pennsylvania licence; tributaries on the New Jersey bank require a New Jersey licence.
• Below Trenton Falls the Delaware becomes tidal and the New Jersey saltwater registry rules apply on the New Jersey side.
• Trout and combination-trout-salmon stamps follow each state's separate stamp rules; reciprocity does not extend to the stamp.

Geographic scope

Main stem of the Upper Mississippi River from the Twin Cities MN (Pool 1) downstream to Hannibal MO (foot of Pool 22) — including the boundary reaches MN/WI (Pools 1-9), WI/IA (Pools 9-11), IA/IL (Pools 11-22), and IA/MO + IL/MO (Pools 21-22). Iowa's portion covers Pools 9-22 (312-mile reach from Lansing IA at the head of Pool 9 to Keokuk IA at the foot of Pool 19).

Which licence is honored

A valid current Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, or Missouri Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Mississippi River main stem and immediate backwaters under the long-standing Upper Mississippi River Joint Compact administered by all five border states. Anglers may fish the main stem under any one of the five state licences.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Mississippi River main stem and immediate backwaters only — tributary creeks above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Iowa's Mississippi walleye 15-inch / 5-fish rule, Wisconsin's 15-inch / 5-fish rule, Illinois's 14-inch / 6-fish rule, Minnesota's 15-inch / 6-fish rule, and Missouri's 15-inch / 4-fish rule all apply only to anglers holding that state's licence.
• Inland trout stamps, salmon stamps, paddlefish tags, and species-specific permits are state-specific — joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps.
• Pools 9-22 are managed jointly by USFWS Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge (federal lands within the river floodplain) and the five state agencies.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Oahe (370,000 acres on the Missouri River, USACE Omaha District Oahe Dam built 1962 — country's fourth-largest reservoir by surface area, 231 miles long) including the SD side (Hughes / Stanley / Sully / Potter / Walworth / Campbell Counties — the bulk of the reservoir) and the ND-portion upper end (Sioux County ND — 25,000 acres ND-portion of the 370,000-acre reservoir). The main stem boundary between Pollock SD + Solen ND is the controlling reciprocal line.

Which licence is honored

Anglers fishing the Lake Oahe main stem may use a current South Dakota OR North Dakota Fishing Licence — resident or non-resident — under the joint SD/ND reciprocal compact administered by both SDGFP + ND G&F. Either state's licence is honored on the open water of the reservoir.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Oahe reservoir main stem only — tributary creeks (Cheyenne River + Moreau River + Grand River SD side; Cannonball River ND side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. SDGFP's Oahe walleye 15-inch / 4-fish QM rule and ND G&F's Oahe walleye 14-inch / 5-fish QM rule both apply only to anglers holding that state's licence.
• Paddlefish tags are state-specific — SDGFP's Free Paddlefish Tag is valid only for SD-licensed anglers; ND G&F's Free Paddlefish Tag is valid only for ND-licensed anglers.
• Lake Oahe is one of only a handful of inland US lakes with a viable Pacific salmon fishery — the joint compact protects the SDGFP + USFWS chinook salmon stocking program at Oahe Dam tailwater.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Bull Shoals Lake (45,150 acres on the White River — USACE Little Rock District Bull Shoals Dam built 1951 — Marion + Baxter Counties AR + Taney + Ozark Counties MO) and Norfork Lake (22,000 acres on the North Fork White River — USACE Little Rock District Norfork Dam built 1944 — Baxter County AR + Ozark County MO). The state line runs through both reservoirs roughly midway along the main stem.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Arkansas or Missouri Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the main stem of Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake under the long-standing AR/MO joint reciprocal compact administered by AGFC + Missouri Department of Conservation. Anglers may fish either reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Bull Shoals + Norfork reservoir main stems only — tributary creeks (White River + Lead Creek + Big Creek + Buck Creek above the high-water mark on the Bull Shoals side; North Fork River above the high-water mark on the Norfork side) revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using. AGFC's Bull Shoals walleye 15-inch / 4-fish rule and MDC's Bull Shoals walleye 15-inch / 4-fish rule are aligned, but largemouth bag limits and slot rules differ — verify the destination booklet.
• Trout Permits (AGFC + MDC) are state-specific and required for the downstream tailwaters (White River below Bull Shoals Dam in AR; Lake Taneycomo on the MO side downstream of Table Rock Dam) — joint compact does not extend to species-specific permits.
• The White River main stem upstream of Bull Shoals Lake into the Beaver Tailwater is wholly inside Arkansas and requires an Arkansas Fishing Licence; the joint compact does not extend to upstream reaches.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Powell (161,000-acre reservoir on the Colorado River — USBR Glen Canyon Dam built 1966 — country's second-largest reservoir by volume + third-largest by surface area after Lake Mead NV/AZ + Lake Sakakawea ND — 186-mile reservoir reach Coconino County AZ + Garfield + San Juan + Kane Counties UT). The reservoir is administered jointly by the NPS Glen Canyon National Recreation Area + the BLM + the USBR. The state line bisects the reservoir at the Glen Canyon Dam, with the bulk of Lake Powell (146,000 acres / ~90%) lying in Utah and 15,000 acres / ~10% in Arizona at the southern end including the Wahweap + Antelope Point marinas.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Arizona or Utah Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Lake Powell main stem under the long-standing AZ/UT joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by AZGFD + UDWR. Anglers may fish the boundary reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Powell reservoir main stem only — tributary canyons (San Juan River + Escalante River + Dirty Devil River on the UT side; Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam on the AZ side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Both AZGFD and UDWR apply the same striped bass 0 / day catch-and-release-only encouraged-removal invasive species rule + the same walleye 5 / day rule under the joint compact (more restrictive than UT statewide 10 / day) + the same smallmouth + largemouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum rule.
• Mandatory boat inspection at all AIS-positive entry points around Lake Powell — both AZGFD and UDWR enforce the same AIS-prevention protocol under the joint compact (quagga mussel detection 2012 at Wahweap + Antelope Point + Bullfrog + Hite Marinas).
• Lake Powell is administered by the NPS Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — NPS overlay rules (no-wake zones, day-use restrictions, designated camping areas) apply throughout the reservoir alongside the state Fishing License requirement.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Mead (247-square-mile reservoir on the Colorado River — USBR Hoover Dam built 1936 — country's largest reservoir by volume + by surface area when full + country's largest manmade lake by surface area — 110-mile reservoir reach Mohave County AZ + Clark County NV) + Lake Mohave (28,260-acre reservoir on the Colorado River below Hoover Dam to Davis Dam — USBR Davis Dam built 1951 — 67-mile reservoir reach Mohave County AZ + Clark County NV). Both reservoirs are administered jointly by the NPS Lake Mead National Recreation Area + the BLM + the USBR.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Arizona or Nevada Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Lake Mead + Lake Mohave main stems under the long-standing AZ/NV joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by AZGFD + NDOW. Anglers may fish either boundary reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Mead + Lake Mohave reservoir main stems only — tributary creeks + canyons (Virgin River + Muddy River on the NV side; Las Vegas Wash + Boulder Canyon on the NV side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Both AZGFD and NDOW apply the same striped bass 25 / day no minimum aggressive-harvest rule + the same largemouth + smallmouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum rule + the same channel + flathead catfish 25 / day combined rule.
• Arizona Colorado River Stamp ($3 res / $3 NR) is required on top of the AZ Fishing License for AZ-licensed anglers fishing from the AZ shore — the joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps + permits.
• USFWS Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program — razorback sucker + bonytail + Colorado pikeminnow + humpback chub are federally Endangered ESA species + must be released; the joint compact protects the joint AZGFD + NDOW + USFWS native-fish recovery program at the Lake Mohave below-Hoover-Dam cold-water tailwater + USFWS Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.
• Lake Mead is the IGFA all-tackle world-record green sunfish water (3 lb 1 oz Lake Mead 2024) — the joint compact protects sunfish + crappie + bluegill + redear sunfish panfish populations.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Havasu (19,300-acre reservoir on the Colorado River below Davis Dam — USBR Parker Dam built 1938 — 45-mile reservoir reach Mohave County AZ + San Bernardino County CA — administered through Lake Havasu State Park + Lake Havasu City AZ). The state line bisects the reservoir approximately midway along the main stem, with the bulk of Lake Havasu (the easterly shore + Lake Havasu City) on the AZ side and the westerly shore (Havasu Lake CA + Havasu National Wildlife Refuge USFWS) on the CA side.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Arizona or California Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Lake Havasu main stem under the long-standing AZ/CA joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by AZGFD + CDFW. Anglers may fish the boundary reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Havasu reservoir main stem only — tributary creeks + canyons (Bill Williams River on the AZ side; Sara Park Wash on the CA side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Both AZGFD and CDFW apply the same striped bass 25 / day no minimum aggressive-harvest rule + the same largemouth + smallmouth bass 6 / day combined no minimum rule + the same redear sunfish 25 / day no minimum rule.
• Arizona Colorado River Stamp ($3 res / $3 NR) is required on top of the AZ Fishing License for AZ-licensed anglers fishing from the AZ shore — the joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps + permits.
• Lake Havasu carries the IGFA all-tackle world-record redear sunfish 5 lb 7.83 oz March 17, 2024 by Hudson Engalla — the joint compact protects the trophy redear sunfish + tilapia + bluegill panfish fishery alongside the dominant largemouth + smallmouth + striped bass + crappie fishery.
• Lake Havasu is one of country's premier desert reservoir bass fisheries (4-6 lb smallmouth routinely with 8+ lb fish landed annually) + a recurring BASS Elite + MLF Toyota Series tournament venue — the joint compact provides the consistent licensing framework that supports the tournament economy on both AZ + CA sides of the reservoir.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Bear Lake (110 sq mi natural lake on the ID/UT line — 208 ft maximum depth — 4th-deepest natural lake in the lower 48 — country's largest natural lake in the Great Basin — Bear Lake County ID + Rich County UT — Bear Lake State Park UT + Bear Lake State Park ID + Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge USFWS at the south end). The state line bisects the lake approximately midway along the main stem.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Idaho or Utah Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Bear Lake main stem under the long-standing ID/UT joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by IDFG + UDWR. Anglers may fish the boundary lake under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Bear Lake main stem only — tributary creeks (St. Charles Creek + North Eden Creek + Big Creek + Swan Creek on the ID side; Garden City Creek + Sweetwater Creek on the UT side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Both IDFG and UDWR apply the same 1 / day with 22 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT rule on endemic Bear Lake cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah Bonneville cutthroat subspecies — endemic to the Bear Lake basin, found nowhere else in the world).
• Bonneville cisco (Prosopium gemmifer) late-January – early-February dipnetting-through-ice season — country's only ice-fishing-by-dipnetting season for an endemic salmonid — is administered jointly by IDFG + UDWR under same-rule reciprocal compact (30 / day combined cisco bag on both ID + UT side during the ~1-2 week annual run window).
• Bear Lake is one of only handful of US lakes with four endemic vertebrate fish species (endemic Bear Lake cutthroat + Bonneville cisco + Bonneville whitefish + Bear Lake whitefish) — the joint compact protects the IDFG + UDWR endemic-species recovery programs at the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge USFWS at the south end of the lake.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Flaming Gorge Reservoir (91 sq mi reservoir on the Green River — USBR Flaming Gorge Dam built 1962 — country's premier inland trophy brown + lake trout fishery) + the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam tailwater 28-mile reach (from the dam downstream through Red Canyon + Little Hole + Brown's Park to the UT/CO line — Daggett + Uintah Counties UT). The WY-portion covers Sweetwater + Sublette + Uinta Counties; the UT-portion covers Daggett County. The reservoir is administered jointly by the USFS Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area + the BLM + the USBR.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Utah or Wyoming Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir main stem AND on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam tailwater (28-mile reach to the UT/CO line) under the long-standing UT/WY joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by UDWR + WGFD. Anglers may fish the boundary reservoir + Green River tailwater under either state's licence — the Green River tailwater special exception extends joint-licence-honoring downstream through Section A (catch-and-release) + Section B + C.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir main stem + the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam tailwater (28-mile reach) only — tributary creeks (Sheep Creek + Carter Creek + Black's Fork on the UT side; Cottonwood Creek + Henry's Fork of the Green River on the WY side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using. Both UDWR and WGFD apply the same brown trout 1 / day with 15 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT rule on the Green River below Flaming Gorge tailwater + the same lake trout 6 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day slot rule on the reservoir (joint compact aligned slot rule).
• Mandatory boat inspection at all AIS-positive entry points around Flaming Gorge — both UDWR and WGFD enforce the same AIS-prevention protocol under the joint compact (quagga mussel surveillance program since 2008).
• Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the IGFA all-tackle world-record brown trout water (33 lb 10 oz Flaming Gorge UT-side 1979 by Robert L. Bringhurst, held IGFA world record 1979-1992 until Arkansas's Little Red 40 lb 4 oz May 1992; still UT state record + held IGFA #1 ranking for 13 years) — the joint compact protects the UDWR + WGFD wild brown + lake trout broodstock + stocking program at the upstream Manila + Lucerne + Buckboard arms.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Bighorn Lake / Yellowtail Reservoir (71-mile Bighorn River impoundment behind USBR Yellowtail Dam built 1966 — Big Horn County MT + Big Horn County WY — NPS-administered Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area) including the MT-portion 57-mile reach (Fort Smith MT downstream of Yellowtail Dam upstream to the MT/WY line at the head of the reservoir) and the WY-portion 14-mile upper reach (Lovell WY to the MT/WY line at the head of the reservoir).

Which licence is honored

A valid current Montana or Wyoming Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Bighorn Lake / Yellowtail Reservoir main stem under the long-standing MT/WY joint reciprocal compact administered by FWP + WGFD. Anglers may fish the boundary reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Bighorn Lake / Yellowtail Reservoir main stem only — the Bighorn River tailwater below Yellowtail Dam in MT (the 13-mile blue-ribbon trout reach from Fort Smith MT downstream) requires the Montana Fishing License (no WY license honored on the tailwater); the Bighorn River upstream of the reservoir in WY (above Lovell WY) requires the Wyoming Fishing License.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Montana's walleye + sauger 5 / day combined + 15 in min QM rule and Wyoming's walleye 6 / day no minimum rule both apply only to anglers holding that state's licence.
• Montana AIS Prevention Pass ($2 res / $7.50 NR) is required for MT-licensed anglers fishing the boundary reservoir; Wyoming Conservation Stamp ($21.50 res / NR) is required for WY-licensed anglers — joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps or AIS passes.
• Bighorn Lake is administered by the NPS Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — NPS overlay rules (no-wake zones, day-use restrictions, designated fishing areas) apply throughout the reservoir alongside the state Fishing License requirement.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Navajo Reservoir (15,610-acre San Juan River reservoir — USBR Navajo Dam built 1962 — Archuleta County CO + San Juan + Rio Arriba Counties NM — straddles the CO/NM boundary with 22 percent on the CO side and 78 percent on the NM side). Both state-park overlays apply on each side: Navajo State Park CO + Navajo Lake State Park NM. The reservoir is administered jointly by the USBR + the BIA Southern Ute Indian Reservation (which holds the western shore on the CO side) + the BIA Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation (which holds the eastern shore on the NM side).

Which licence is honored

A valid current Colorado or New Mexico Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Navajo Reservoir main stem under the long-standing CO/NM joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by CPW + NMDGF. Anglers may fish the boundary reservoir under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Navajo Reservoir main stem only — tributary creeks + canyons (Piedra River + Los Pinos River + La Boca on the CO side; Frances Canyon + Cabresto Canyon on the NM side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. CPW trout 4 / day combined rule and NMDGF trout 5 / day combined rule both apply only to anglers holding that state's licence.
• The San Juan River below Navajo Dam tailwater (the 4-mile Quality Waters reach immediately below the dam — country's premier wild rainbow trout tailwater) is wholly in New Mexico — the CO/NM joint compact does NOT extend to the tailwater (NMDGF Fishing License required + Special Trout Waters rules including 2 / day with 20 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT + artificial-fly-and-lure only + barbless single-hook required apply on the Quality Waters reach).
• Both shorelines are partly held by tribal jurisdiction (Southern Ute Indian Reservation on the CO side + Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation on the NM side) — tribal fishing permits may be required for access through reservation land + tribal fishing waters above the high-water mark.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Tahoe (191 sq mi natural lake on the CA/NV line — 1,645 ft maximum depth — country's 2nd-deepest natural lake after Crater Lake OR — country's largest alpine lake by volume + 6th-largest natural lake in the lower 48 by surface area — El Dorado + Placer Counties CA + Washoe + Carson + Douglas Counties NV — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit USFS overlay + Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park NV + Emerald Bay State Park CA + D.L. Bliss State Park CA + Sugar Pine Point State Park CA + Tahoe State Recreation Area CA). The state line bisects the lake approximately along the long axis with ~60% on the CA side and ~40% on the NV side.

Which licence is honored

A valid current California or Nevada Fishing Licence (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Lake Tahoe main stem under the long-standing CA/NV joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by CDFW + NDOW. Anglers may fish the boundary lake under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Tahoe main stem only — tributary creeks (Upper Truckee River + Trout Creek + Taylor Creek + General Creek on the CA side; Marlette Lake outlet + Glenbrook Creek + Logan Shoals creeks on the NV side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. Both CDFW and NDOW apply the same Mackinaw (lake trout) 1 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT rule + the same trout 5 / day combined rule + the same kokanee salmon 10 / day no minimum rule under the joint compact.
• California Inland Trout Stamp ($21.86 res / $21.86 NR) is required for CA-licensed anglers harvesting trout on Lake Tahoe + Nevada Trout Stamp ($10 res / $10 NR) is required for NV-licensed anglers harvesting trout on Lake Tahoe — joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps.
• Remnant Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi — federally Threatened ESA) is 0 / day catch-and-release-only on Lake Tahoe — historically the native cutthroat species at Tahoe, but extirpated by 1939 after 1888 lake trout introduction outcompeted the native LCT — no longer naturally reproducing in Tahoe — Pyramid Lake NV remains the sole stronghold of the species.
• Lake Tahoe is one of country's most distinctive natural lakes — comparable depth + clarity to Crater Lake OR + Lake Superior — the CDFW + NDOW + USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit + the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA — bi-state CA/NV land-use planning compact since 1969) joint conservation framework protects the lake's water quality + native fish habitat alongside the multi-species lake trout + brown trout + rainbow trout + kokanee salmon recreational fishery.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of the Columbia River main stem from the Pacific Ocean upstream to McNary Dam at the OR/WA border (309-mile reach — Clatsop + Columbia + Multnomah + Hood River + Wasco + Sherman + Gilliam + Morrow + Umatilla Counties OR + Pacific + Wahkiakum + Cowlitz + Clark + Skamania + Klickitat + Benton Counties WA). The compact covers joint salmon + steelhead + sturgeon + smelt regulations + joint commercial harvest allocation between the states + tribal harvest under the four Columbia River treaty tribes (Yakama + Umatilla + Warm Springs + Nez Perce) under the US v. Oregon federal-court-ordered allocation framework.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Oregon or Washington Angling License (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Columbia River main stem under the long-standing Columbia River Compact administered jointly by ODFW + WDFW since 1918 — country's longest-running interstate fishery compact. Anglers may fish the boundary river under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Columbia River main stem only — tributary creeks (Willamette + Sandy + Clackamas + Hood + Deschutes + John Day + Umatilla on the OR side; Cowlitz + Lewis + Kalama + White Salmon + Klickitat + Yakima on the WA side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. ODFW Combined Angling Tag ($46.50 res/NR same-fee) + WDFW Catch Record Card (free with the WDFW Fishing License) are both required for harvested salmon + steelhead + sturgeon under joint catch-allocation tracking — joint compact does not extend to species-specific tag rules.
• Lower Columbia River Steelhead DPS + Upper Willamette River Steelhead DPS + Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS + Lower Columbia River ESU coho are all federally Threatened ESA — only hatchery-marked (adipose-fin-clipped) salmon + steelhead may be retained on listed reaches; wild-clipped must be released.
• Treaty-tribal harvest allocation under the four Columbia River treaty tribes (Yakama + Umatilla + Warm Springs + Nez Perce) is governed by US v. Oregon federal-court-ordered allocation framework — tribal commercial + ceremonial-and-subsistence allocations are separate from the joint state recreational allocation.
• The Columbia is the country's premier spring chinook + summer chinook + fall chinook + coho + summer steelhead + winter steelhead + white sturgeon + green sturgeon + Eulachon smelt anadromous fishery, with ~1.5 million chinook + ~500,000 coho + ~600,000 steelhead returning annually under modern joint management.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of the Klamath River main stem from the headwaters at Upper Klamath Lake (Klamath County OR) downstream through the OR/CA boundary at the J.C. Boyle Dam site (former) to the Pacific Ocean at Klamath CA (Modoc + Siskiyou + Humboldt Counties CA). The compact covers joint fall chinook + spring chinook + steelhead + coho + Lost River sucker + shortnose sucker recovery managed jointly by ODFW + CDFW + Yurok Tribe + Karuk Tribe + Hoopa Valley Tribe + Klamath Tribes (OR), most recently restructured after the historic 2024 Klamath Dam Removal Project removed Iron Gate + Copco 1 + Copco 2 + J.C. Boyle Dams, reopening 400+ miles of historic anadromous habitat — largest dam-removal salmon-restoration project in US history.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Oregon or California Angling License (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Klamath River main stem under the long-standing OR/CA joint reciprocal compact administered jointly by ODFW + CDFW + the four Klamath treaty tribes (Yurok + Karuk + Hoopa Valley + Klamath Tribes). Anglers may fish the boundary river under either state's licence.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Klamath River main stem only — tributary creeks (Williamson + Wood + Sprague + Lost Rivers on the OR side; Shasta + Scott + Salmon + Trinity Rivers on the CA side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. ODFW Combined Angling Tag ($46.50 res/NR same-fee) + CDFW Steelhead Report-Restoration Card ($9.46 res/NR) are both required for harvested steelhead under joint catch-allocation tracking.
• ODFW-distinctive halfpounder steelhead Rogue + Klamath summer run (5 / day combined Rogue + Klamath only — country's unique halfpounder fishery) — joint compact protects the halfpounder fishery on both OR + CA sides of the Klamath.
• The 2024 Klamath Dam Removal Project reopened 400+ miles of historic anadromous habitat — fall chinook + spring chinook + steelhead + coho fish are recolonizing upstream habitat through the post-dam-removal restoration framework; harvest regulations are in adaptive management transition through ~2030 as upstream populations re-establish.
• Treaty-tribal harvest allocation under the four Klamath treaty tribes (Yurok + Karuk + Hoopa Valley + Klamath Tribes) is governed by Federal Trust Responsibility — tribal commercial + ceremonial-and-subsistence allocations are separate from joint state recreational allocation.
• Lost River sucker + shortnose sucker (both federally Endangered ESA) recovery is the parallel non-salmonid framework — Upper Klamath Lake catch-and-release-only on listed conservation reaches; sucker harvest prohibited statewide.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of the Snake River main stem from the Hells Canyon Dam (Adams County ID + Wallowa County OR — Idaho Power 1967) downstream through the Hells Canyon Wild & Scenic reach + Lewiston ID + the four Lower Snake dam reservoirs (Lower Granite + Little Goose + Lower Monumental + Ice Harbor — USACE Walla Walla District 1962-1975) to the Columbia at Burbank WA, plus the Brownlee Reservoir + Oxbow Reservoir + Hells Canyon Reservoir OR/ID boundary reach (Idaho Power Brownlee Dam 1958 + Oxbow Dam 1961 + Hells Canyon Dam 1967). The compact covers the joint OR/WA/ID Snake River fishery — main stem only — under the long-standing tri-state recognition framework.

Which licence is honored

A valid current Oregon, Washington, or Idaho Angling License (resident or non-resident) is honored on the Snake River main stem under the long-standing OR/WA/ID Snake River reciprocal compact administered by ODFW + WDFW + IDFG. Anglers may fish the Snake River main stem (Hells Canyon + Lower Snake from Lewiston downstream to the Columbia) under any one of the three state licences.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Snake River main stem + the OR/ID boundary reservoirs (Brownlee + Oxbow + Hells Canyon) only — tributary creeks (Imnaha + Grande Ronde + Wallowa on the OR side; Tucannon + Touchet + Walla Walla + Asotin + Palouse on the WA side; Clearwater + Salmon + Boise + Payette + Weiser on the ID side) above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Bag, possession, size, and slot limits follow the state whose licence the angler is using on the day of the trip. ODFW smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + walleye 8 / day no min encouraged-removal rule, WDFW smallmouth bass 5 / day with 12 in min + walleye 8 / day no min encouraged-removal rule, and IDFG smallmouth bass 6 / day with 12 in min + walleye 6 / day no min rule all apply only to anglers holding that state's licence.
• Snake River Basin steelhead DPS + Snake River chinook ESU + Snake River sockeye ESU (Sawtooth NRA + Redfish Lake — country's southernmost sockeye run + most-endangered sockeye population) are all federally Threatened/Endangered ESA — only hatchery-marked (adipose-fin-clipped) salmon + steelhead may be retained on listed reaches; wild-clipped must be released. Snake River sockeye 0 / day catch-and-release-only statewide (federally Endangered ESA).
• Anadromous fish in the Snake River migrate 500+ miles from the Pacific Ocean upstream to the Salmon + Clearwater + Lochsa + Selway tribs (the longest anadromous fish migration in the lower 48) — the joint compact protects the joint ODFW + WDFW + IDFG + Nez Perce + Shoshone-Bannock + Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation + Yakama Nation hatchery + recovery framework at Dworshak NFH + Kooskia NFH + Lower Snake hatcheries.
• Catch Record Card (WDFW) + Combined Angling Tag (ODFW) + Salmon-Steelhead Permit (IDFG) are state-specific harvest-tracking requirements — joint compact does not extend to species-specific permits.
• Encouraged-removal walleye + smallmouth bass + channel catfish framework applies on the four Lower Snake dam reservoirs (Lower Granite + Little Goose + Lower Monumental + Ice Harbor) — both WDFW and ODFW manage these non-native species to protect ESA salmon + steelhead smolt out-migration through the reservoir system.

Geographic scope

All open public waters of Lake Texoma (89,000 acres on the Red River, USACE Tulsa District Denison Dam built 1944) including the OK side (Bryan / Marshall / Love Counties), the TX side (Grayson / Cooke Counties), and the major arms (Red River arm + Washita River arm + Big Mineral arm).

Which licence is honored

Anglers fishing Lake Texoma may purchase a Lake Texoma Licence ($12 from either ODWC or TPWD) on top of a regular state Fishing Licence from either state, OR may hold any current Oklahoma resident, Oklahoma non-resident, Texas resident, or Texas non-resident annual fishing licence — all four are honored on the Texoma main stem under the joint OK/TX compact administered by both agencies.

Limits of the compact

• Joint compact applies to the Lake Texoma reservoir main stem only — Red River + Washita River tributaries above the high-water mark revert to the host state's licence.
• Lake Texoma special rules — striper + hybrid striper combined 10 / day with only 2 fish over 20 in — apply under the joint compact (more restrictive than either state's general striper rule).
• Trout permits, paddlefish permits, and special-species stamps follow each state's separate rules — joint compact does not extend to species-specific stamps.
• Lake Texoma is one of only two large inland US reservoirs with self-sustaining naturally-reproducing striped bass — the joint compact protects the natural spawning run on both tributary arms.