A Maine fishing license is valid for up to two years from the date of issue.
The length of time a fishing license is valid is governed by the law in Maine and can vary by category and species. The two-year maximum license validity is consistent across all categories however, once your fishing license expires you must apply for a fresh license from the license issuance agency. You may be required to pay additional fees for a fishing license depending on your prior fishing activity.
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When Does My License Expires?
If you’re planning to go fishing during the open season (often referred to as the “open water season”) your fishing license must be purchased and/or renewed prior to the start of the open season. Typically, this is sometime during the preceding summer but can vary by municipality and state.
Even if you don’t intend on fishing during the open season you must purchase a license in case you are stopped and fined by a law enforcement officer for fishing without a license. In this case your license could become invalid simply by being expired at the time of your arrest.
What If I Get Caught Without A License?
If you’re caught fishing without a license during the open season you’ll be issued a citation and possibly a fine. However, if you’re not convicted of a felony or misdemeanor you won’t have to worry about losing your license. In this case you’ll receive a temporary sticker that must be displayed on your vehicle.
According to the law in Maine, if you’re less than 16 years old you cannot be held liable for a fishing violation. For this reason, if you’re pulled over and cited for fishing without a license, your parent or guardian must appear in court with you. Even in this case a misdemeanor citation will not result in your license being revoked unless you were previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
There are several circumstances under which your license can be revoked regardless of whether you were convicted of a crime or merely issued a citation. These include (but are not limited to):
- A material change in your circumstances (such as getting married, having a child, or buying a home)
- An act that puts you in violation of federal, state, or local law (such as violating the Lacey Act by transporting fish gained by illegal catches or hunting whales without a license)
- Repeated or continued violations of the same law (such as being convicted of misdemeanor fishing 5 times in a 3-year period)
- Fishing during a closed period (such as a State park closing for the season)
- You refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test (as required under certain circumstances such as school sports)
- You refuse to provide appropriate identification (such as a passport)
- You fail to abide by any other rules or regulations established by the MMC (Ministry of Marine Cod))
What If I Get Caught With A Prohibited Device?
Certain fishing equipment is illegal to use without a license. These devices range from traps that are set to catch fish (known as “fish pots”) to draggers and flashers which are used to frighten fish into the water (known as “lures”).
When equipped with these devices, you can be cited for fishing without a license.
If you’re arrested for using these devices you won’t be able to appeal the citation based on the law in Maine. In this case you’ll be required to pay a civil penalty (which can range from $500 to $2000) as well as court fees. In addition, you’ll need to dispose of all fish that you illegally caught before leaving the area. If you fail to do so you can be charged with a crime, depending on the circumstances in which the fish were caught (i.e. not fresh or saltwater fish, migratory fish, or fish that are protected by law).
Do I Need A Boat License?
If you plan on using non-motorized boats such as rowboats, canoes, or kayaks to fish you must have a boat license. It is legal to fish from a motorboat with a motor over 20 horsepower but you must have a boat license in case you’re stopped by a law enforcement officer and cited for fishing without a license. In this case your license could be revoked regardless of whether you were convicted of a crime or merely issued a citation.
This is because the law in Maine categorizes all boats as vehicles and places a 25-foot limit on how far offshore you can go without a license. To remain within this limit, you must remain within a 25-mile radius of the coastline. In addition to this area, you must also have a license if you plan to go within 100 yards of an island or archipelago (such as the Isle of Man or the Isle of Wight).
What If I Get Caught With A Broken Law?
One of the most common reasons for a fishing license becoming invalid is due to a broken law. This could occur if there’s been a major overhaul of the fishing regulations or if the law was amended and the updated version was not passed by the legislature. In case you are pulled over and cited for fishing without a license, you cannot appeal the citation based on the amended law in Maine. In this case you’ll have to fight the charge based on the old law. If you believe that this happened and you’re not sure what to do, contact the ministry of marine cod (MMC) for help.
The MMC maintains a directory of all ongoing changes to the fishing regulations that are made throughout the year. You can use this directory to determine if your fishing license is still valid based on the law at the time of your arrest or citation. In case of an amendment to an old law, it is imperative that you contact the MMC to see if your license is still valid based on the new law. Otherwise you run the risk of being penalized for a violation that no longer exists.
Fishing is a pastime enjoyed by people all over the world. In Maine, fishing is officially recognized as a sport and cultural activity. If you’re not sure where to start, visit the MMC’s website for information on how to get a license and when to use it. Once you get started you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this earlier!