New Saltwater Fishing Rules for Massachusetts

[masspi]

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing/rec_license.htm

www.countmyfish.noaa.gov


To all:


Because the new Federal law is now in effect, you must go to the countmyfish site (second link) to register with the Federal Government for saltwater and offshore fishing.  It is mandatory !!!!!  The process is simple and takes about 5 minutes to complete.  No fee this year.

Massachusetts will institute a State license next year and the fee will be $10.00 per person.  Children will be exempt and old geezers like me will not have to pay the fee but still have to register.  Check out the link at the top for the info and FAQ.

I wrote a lot of letters to a lot of politicians and regulatory heads at both state and federal level along with a lot of other people but alas………….it fell on deaf ears.  

Don't you just love big government

[SHELLFISH]

CT said the same thing...."We were forced into licensing by the Feds"!
2009 salt water license $15.00.
2010 salt water license $30.00.! The dogs! 

CT Motto:  How deep are your pockets?

[Ron]

NJ has also implemented this.   Oddly, I am exempt because I hold a Delaware license.    Not sure why (maybe because I have FINs # through Delaware...)

[masspi]

It is well known from prior post on this issue where I stand............I am against licensing for offshore and salt water fishing.  This whole thing is brought about by the Fed's changing the Magnuson-Stevenson Act.  It forced all the coastal states into licensing.  Thankfully Massachusetts kept the fee for both in stater's and out of stater's at ten bucks.  This might be a way for some of you to save a couple of dollars.

The Fed's are letting you register for free this year and the fees start next year.  If your state has licensing, you still have to register with the Fed's.

More and more government every day.............I for one am sick of it !!!!!!

[robc22]

I just registered.......this whole thing stinks of big brother......this is just the tip of the iceberg..........

[Seanile]

The Fed's are letting you register for free this year and the fees start next year.  If your state has licensing, you still have to register with the Fed's.

More and more government every day.............I for one am sick of it !!!!!!

Register for free, then they've got your name, address and whatever other personal info they require for registration, then they're in position to send you a bill if you've not renewed the following year.  Your government at work.   

[mako20cc]

Had to get a license of course to fish in Conn. 20.00 to fish for trout in my favorite streams. And 10.00 to fish the LI Sound. Now I see Shellfish says it's 30.00. So now it will cost me 50.00 to fish both salt and fresh water in CT. I have to admit that I was out alot this year and never once saw or heard of anyone inforcing it. Wonder what the fine is if they catch you. Might be worth the gamble especially when you take the kids. Who is to say who's pole is who's.Inland I wouldn't risk it. See DEP all the time. But the saltwater ? Just make shure your one rig less than the the total of kids.( If the money goes for a good cause. OK I think it's alright. But it will wind up supporting something it was not ment for as usual) All I can say is one word SAD.   -MAKO-

[Cape Cod Cacher]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sent in to 'The Man' in January and have my paper. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!

Of course, I have a dozen or so people a week asking about fishing at the motel (on the Beach).
I don't know how I'm going to handle it yet. Free year is no problem, sign em' up on-line and print a temp permit so they can go fishing off property. Fee year? *cough* Photoshop *cough*. I have to find out what the bait shops plan to do.

Again: Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid! *stomping around in a circle*