If you are planning a fishing trip to Lancaster, New Hampshire, the first thing you need is a valid fishing license. The good news: you can get one in under 30 minutes — online from your phone, at the NH Fish & Game office two miles from Riverside Camping & RV Resort, or at the hardware store on Bridge Street. Here is everything you need to know.
Who Needs a License
All anglers age 16 and older must have a valid New Hampshire freshwater fishing license to fish in any river, stream, pond, or lake in the state. Children under 16 fish free — no license, no paperwork, no cost. Senior anglers age 68 and older qualify for a significantly reduced rate.
New Hampshire also offers two free fishing days each year when no license is required for anyone. In 2026, those dates are January 17 and June 6. It is the perfect opportunity to try fishing for the first time or bring a friend who does not have a license.
License Prices
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Freshwater Fishing | $45.00 | $63.00 |
| 1-Day Freshwater Fishing | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| 3-Day Freshwater (Non-Resident) | — | $28.00 |
| Senior Freshwater (age 68+) | $7.00 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free — no license required | |
An additional $2.50 agent/processing fee applies to all licenses. Prices are set by NH Fish & Game and subject to change — verify current prices at wildlife.nh.gov.
Where to Buy Near Riverside
You have three convenient options, all within minutes of Riverside Camping & RV Resort:
NH Fish & Game — Lancaster Regional Office
629 Main Street, Suite B, Lancaster, NH 03584
2 miles from Riverside. This is the regional headquarters — they handle licenses, regulations questions, and stocking information. Open weekdays.
Get Directions →Aubuchon Hardware — Lancaster
15 Bridge Street, Lancaster, NH
Licensed agent. Walk in, buy your license, and pick up any tackle or supplies you need on the way out. Open seven days a week during season.
Phone: (603) 482-6262
Online — NH Fish & Game Website
Buy your license from your phone or laptop before you even arrive. Print it or keep the digital confirmation. Available 24/7.
The Connecticut River Rule
This is the rule most visitors do not know about. The Connecticut River forms the border between New Hampshire and Vermont. Under a longstanding interstate compact, both NH and VT resident fishing licenses are valid for fishing anywhere on the Connecticut River — from either bank, wading to either side, or floating the entire stretch.
For non-residents, this means you only need to purchase a license from one state to fish the entire river. If you already have a Vermont fishing license, you are covered on the Connecticut River at Lancaster. If you buy a New Hampshire license, you can fish the Vermont side too.
What You Will Catch
Lancaster sits at the confluence of the Connecticut River and the Israel River. The fishing is exceptional. Brown trout in the Connecticut River — including the stretch directly accessible from Riverside's 60-foot dock — can exceed 20 inches. Brook trout inhabit the Israel River and Johns River tributaries. Smallmouth bass provide explosive summer action. Landlocked salmon run the river in fall. And panfish — perch, sunfish, rock bass — keep the kids busy all day long.
For the complete species guide, seasonal calendar, regulations, and local tips, see our full fishing guide.
Get Your License. Book Your Site. Go Fish.
Riverside Camping & RV Resort puts you on the Connecticut River with a 60-foot dock, full hookups, and two miles to the Fish & Game office. Your fishing trip starts here.