Commissioners approve increase to 2026 hunt, fish permit fees

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved fee increases at its Aug. 22 meeting in McCook.

The fees, which include fishing, hunting, applications and nonresident aquatic invasive species stamp fees, will take effect with 2026 permit sales, pending approval by the state.

This increase in hunt and fish permit fees will be used for fish and wildlife management and conservation across the state.

The average fee increase is 14%, well below the maximum of 18% allowed by statute.

Resident fees were last increased in 2017, nonresident small game and fish in 2021, and to nonresident big game in 2024.

The amended fees are:

Hunt – Resident annual, $17; resident 3-year, $47.50; resident 5-year, $69; nonresident annual, $125; nonresident 3-year, $342; nonresident 5-year, $515; nonresident youth, $17; nonresident 2-day, $86.

Fish – Resident annual, *$23; nonresident annual, *$77.50; resident 1-day, $8; resident 3-year, $64; resident 5-year, $96; nonresident 1-day, $13.50; resident 3-day, *$15; nonresident 3-day, *$22; nonresident 3-year, $214; nonresident 5-year, $325.

Paddlefish – Resident, $25; nonresident, $50.

Hunt/fish combination – Resident annual, *$39; nonresident annual, *$187.50; resident 3-year, $109; resident 5-year, $166; nonresident 3-year, $514; nonresident 5-year, $774.

Deer – Resident, $39; resident youth, $5.50; resident statewide buck only (whitetail only), $97.50; resident statewide buck only (any deer), $195; resident restricted statewide buck only (any deer), $140; resident special antlerless only, $12.50; nonresident, $369; nonresident youth, $5.50; nonresident statewide buck only (whitetail only), $835; nonresident statewide buck only (any deer), $1,110; nonresident restricted statewide buck (any deer), $885; nonresident season choice antlerless only, $100; nonresident special antlerless only, $100; resident landowner, $19.50; nonresident landowner, $184.50.

Antelope – Resident, $39; resident youth, $5.50; resident landowner, $19.50; nonresident, $257; nonresident youth, $5.50; nonresident landowner, $128.50; nonrefundable application fee, $7.

Bighorn Sheep – Resident application fee, $34.

Mountain Lion – Application fee, $17.50.

Elk – Resident nonrefundable application fee, $11; nonresident nonrefundable application fee, $11; resident, $196; resident landowner, $41; nonresident landowner, $588.

Turkey – Resident, $31; resident youth, $5.50; nonresident, $155; nonresident youth, $5.50; resident landowner, $15.50; nonresident landowner, $77.50.

Lottery – Super Tag, resident single entry, $29; Super Tag, resident and nonresident multiple entry, $11.50; Combo, resident and nonresident multiple entry, $11.50.

Controlled Shoot – Controlled Shooting Area License, $198; nonresident Controlled Shooting Area License, $17.50.

Stamps – Nonresident aquatic invasive species stamp, $17.50.

Those with an asterisk have additional fees that apply.