Here is the latest on the saltwater fishing license issue.

Legislature Acts On Saltwater Fishing License

 

Here are the specifics of the enacted law that takes effect on January 1, 2011.

Resident and nonresident anglers who purchase a fishing license from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will not have to register or pay any fee to fish in saltwater. When these anglers purchase their freshwater fishing license, they will check a box on their license application if they want to fish in saltwater..

            Saltwater anglers who do not purchase a DIF&W fishing license will have to register with the Department of Marine Resources. The registration if free, but an agent fee must be paid ($1 if registering directly with DMR, $2 if registering with a licensing agent). We’re assuming that DMR will use DIF&W’s MOSES online system and licensing agents, but that is not required by the law.

The names, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers of those who check the DIF&W license box to fish in saltwater or who register with DMR will be given to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be used for federal surveys of saltwater anglers.

Saltwater anglers who do not purchase a DIF&W fishing license will have to purchase a “striped bass endorsement” to fish for or possess striped bass. The annual fee for this endorsement is $5 for a resident and $15 for a nonresident. Anglers 70 years of age or older may purchase a lifetime striper endorsement for $10, but must renew that endorsement (for free) each year. Henceforth, we will call the endorsement a license.

In addition to DIF&W licensed anglers, the following will not have to register with DMR or purchase the striper license:

 

a)      anglers under 16 years of age;

b)      clients in a boat captained by a guide who has purchased a $50 commercial operator’s license;

c)      anglers renting a smelt fishing shack from an operator who has purchased a $50 commercial operator’s license;

d)      a person with a disability, defined as a person who is physically or mentally incapacitates as determined by DMR’s commissioner

e)      a disabled veteran, defined as a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who has a service-connected disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

f)        an angler with a New Hampshire saltwater fishing license who is fishing along the southern border to Cape Neddick;

g)      all anglers fishing on July 4, Labor Day weekend, or Memorial Day weekend.