Cross-Border License Reciprocity

Border waters are where two states meet — and where licensing gets confusing. Some shared lakes and rivers honor both states’ licenses; others require a special reciprocal permit or a separate license for each side. Use the checker, then read the full list of tracked border waters below.

Why this matters: No fishing app resolves cross-state reciprocity — the rules live in each state’s statute and differ water by water. This is the only consolidated, per-water lookup online. Always carry your license and confirm with both agencies before a trip.

State A (your license)

State B (where you will fish)

Tracked border waters

Lake Texoma (reservoir)

States: Texas / Oklahoma

Texas and Oklahoma honor a single special Texoma fishing license that covers both states on the main pool. A normal state license alone does not cover the full lake.

Special permit: Buy the dedicated Lake Texoma fishing license (TX or OK issued) to fish the entire pool.

Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife / Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation — Lake Texoma reciprocal fishing license.

Columbia River (river)

States: Oregon / Washington

Oregon and Washington offer reciprocal fishing on main-river channel sections; each state honors the other’s license on the shared main stem subject to that state’s rules where you are fishing.

Source: Oregon / Washington fish & wildlife — Columbia River reciprocal fishing (main channel sections).

Ohio River (river)

States: Ohio / Indiana / Kentucky

Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky each honor the other’s resident license on the Ohio River main channel. Rules of the state you are physically fishing still apply.

Source: OH / IN / KY wildlife agencies — Ohio River reciprocal licensing (main channel).

Lake Tahoe (lake)

States: California / Nevada

NOT reciprocal. Anglers must carry a valid license for the state whose portion of the lake they are fishing — California or Nevada. A single license does not cover both sides.

Source: California DFWL / Nevada NDOW — Lake Tahoe licensing (each side licensed separately).

Lake Powell (reservoir)

States: Utah / Arizona

A valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license lets you fish both the Utah and Arizona portions. Only one daily limit may be taken per day even if licensed in both.

Source: Utah Admin. Code R657-13-5; Arizona Game & Fish — Lake Powell interstate waters.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir (reservoir)

States: Utah / Wyoming

Utah residents need a Wyoming reciprocal fishing permit to fish the Wyoming portion; Wyoming residents need a Utah reciprocal permit for the Utah portion. Valid 365 days.

Special permit: Purchase the reciprocal permit from the honoring state (UT residents → WY permit; WY residents → UT permit).

Source: Utah Admin. Code R657-13-5; Wyoming Game & Fish — Flaming Gorge reciprocal permit.

Bear Lake (lake)

States: Idaho / Utah

Idaho and Utah recognize each other’s fishing licenses on Bear Lake whether you are in Idaho or Utah waters, per the interstate reciprocal agreement.

Source: Idaho Code 36-1003; Utah Admin. Code R657-13-5 — Bear Lake reciprocal recognition.

Potomac River (tidal) (river)

States: Maryland / Virginia / DC

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. reciprocate fishing privileges on the tidal Potomac. Non-tidal (upstream) stretches follow the single state you are in.

Source: MD DNR / VA DWR / DC — Potomac River tidal waters reciprocal fishing.

Mississippi River (main channel) (river)

States: Iowa / Illinois / Missouri / Wisconsin / Minnesota

Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Minnesota reciprocate on the main river channel; licenses are honored across bordering states’ main-channel waters. Tributaries and backwaters follow the single state.

Source: Upper Mississippi River states’ wildlife agencies — main channel reciprocal fishing.

Lake Mead / Lake Mohave (reservoir)

States: Nevada / Arizona

Nevada and Arizona waters of Lakes Mead and Mohave are covered by the Colorado River reciprocal framework; a Nevada or Arizona license is honored on the shared reservoir subject to the state’s rules where you fish.

Source: Nevada NRS 502.045; Arizona Game & Fish — Colorado River / Lake Mead reciprocal waters.

Snake River (ID border sections) (river)

States: Idaho / Oregon / Washington

Idaho recognizes Oregon and Washington licenses on Snake River border sections under reciprocal agreements; Oregon and Washington similarly recognize each other’s licenses on shared Snake River stretches.

Source: Idaho Code 36-1003 — Snake River reciprocal recognition (ID/OR/WA).

Lake Erie (U.S. ↔ Ontario) (lake)

States: Ohio / Pennsylvania / New York / Michigan / ON

NOT reciprocal across the international boundary. Your U.S. state license covers only that state’s waters of Lake Erie. Ontario (Canada) waters require an Ontario fishing licence plus an Outdoors Card (the 1-day Sport licence is the exception that needs no Outdoors Card); buy via Hunt and Fish Ontario. The boundary runs roughly through the lake’s center.

Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (effective Jan 1, 2026); Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources — Hunt and Fish Ontario licensing service.

Lake Ontario (U.S. ↔ Ontario) (lake)

States: New York / ON

NOT reciprocal across the international boundary. A New York license covers only U.S. waters; Ontario waters require an Ontario fishing licence plus an Outdoors Card (1-day Sport exempt). The boundary runs roughly through the lake’s center.

Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (effective Jan 1, 2026); Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources — Hunt and Fish Ontario.

Lake Huron (U.S. ↔ Ontario) (lake)

States: Michigan / ON

NOT reciprocal across the international boundary. A Michigan license covers only U.S. waters; Ontario waters require an Ontario fishing licence plus an Outdoors Card (1-day Sport exempt). The boundary runs roughly through the lake’s center.

Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (effective Jan 1, 2026); Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources — Hunt and Fish Ontario.

Lake Superior (U.S. ↔ Ontario) (lake)

States: Michigan / Minnesota / Wisconsin / ON

NOT reciprocal across the international boundary. Your U.S. state license covers only that state’s waters of Lake Superior. Ontario waters require an Ontario fishing licence plus an Outdoors Card (1-day Sport exempt). The boundary runs roughly through the lake’s center.

Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (effective Jan 1, 2026); Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources — Hunt and Fish Ontario.

Lake St. Clair & Detroit River (U.S. ↔ Ontario) (river)

States: Michigan / ON

NOT reciprocal across the international boundary. A Michigan license covers only U.S. waters of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. Ontario waters require an Ontario fishing licence plus an Outdoors Card (1-day Sport exempt).

Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (effective Jan 1, 2026); Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources — Hunt and Fish Ontario.

State reciprocity statutes

Several states publish an explicit statutory basis for honoring neighboring states’ licenses.

Montana: Montana Code 87-2-1001: honors licenses of bordering states within 10 miles of the border where the bordering state grants the same, via reciprocal agreement.
Utah: Utah Admin. Code R657-13-5: interstate waters (Bear Lake, Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge) reciprocal fishing permits and rules.
Idaho: Idaho Code 36-1003: reciprocal recognition on Bear Lake and the Snake River border sections with Utah, Oregon, and Washington.
Nevada: Nevada NRS 502.045: reciprocal agreements on the Colorado River, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Topaz, and Lake Tahoe boundary waters.

Data compiled 2026 from state statutes and agency summaries. Border-water rules change; when in doubt, purchase a nonresident license for the state you are physically fishing in.