Saltwater Fishing Registration

Who must register to Saltwater Recreational Fish in Maine?

A person is required to Register with the state of Maine annually in order to engage in recreational saltwater fishing unless that person meets one of the following exemptions. Proof of being Registered or documentation of exemption of the Registry requirement must be carried at all times while recreational saltwater fishing or transporting caught fish.

You are exempt from Registering if:

• You are under 16 years of age.
• You hold a valid Maine freshwater fishing license (not a Lifetime License*) and you indicated on your license whether or not you engaged in saltwater recreational fishing during the prior year.
• You hold a valid ME Commercial fishing license and you have indicated on that license whether or not you engaged in saltwater recreational fishing during the prior year.
• You are a Maine resident and are recreational saltwater fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4th or Labor Day weekend.
• You are a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.
• You are fishing as a passenger on a for-hire vessel (charter or head/party boat) captained by an individual who possesses a valid recreational saltwater fishing Operator's License.
• You are registered/licensed to engage in saltwater recreational fishing in another state, or with the National Registry.

*If your Maine freshwater fishing license is a Lifetime License, then you are not covered by that license for saltwater recreational fishing in Maine. You will need to check to see if you qualify for any other of the exemptions, above, and if you do not, then you are required to annually Register for recreational saltwater fishing.

You can register for Saltwater Fishing in person at the Clerks Office at Wells Town Hall for a cost of $2.00