2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 923: FISH: FISHING SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS
12 §12501. General fishing license

Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
Subchapter 2: LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

12501. General fishing license

(CONFLICT)

(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)

1. License required. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Part, a person may not fish for, transport or possess fish without a valid license issued under this section.

Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF) .]

2. Eligibility. The commissioner may issue the following licenses to the following persons:

A. A resident fishing license to a resident 16 years of age or older; and [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF).]

B. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/1/15) A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 12 years of age or older. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF).]

B. (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/1/15) A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 16 years of age or older. [2013, c. 380, 1 (AMD); 2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF).]

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF); 2013, c. 380, 1 (AMD); 2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF) .]

3. Agent's fee. Clerks or other agents appointed by the commissioner to issue licenses shall charge a fee of $2 for each license issued. The commissioner shall charge a fee of $1 for each fishing license issued by department employees.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF) .]

4. Exchange of licenses. A license issued under this section may not be exchanged for another license except as provided in this subsection. Temporary licenses may be exchanged for annual licenses as follows.

A. A resident who possesses a one-day or 3-day fishing license may exchange it in the municipality in which that person resides for an annual resident fishing license or a resident combination hunting and fishing license upon the payment to the clerk or issuing agent of $2 and the difference between the fee for the one-day or 3-day license and the fee for the annual license. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF).]

B. A nonresident who possesses a 15-day nonresident fishing license may exchange it for an annual nonresident license upon the payment of the difference between the fee for the 15-day license and the fee for the annual license and $2 to the clerk or issuing agent. [2011, c. 253, 28 (AMD).]

[ 2011, c. 253, 28 (AMD) .]

5. (CONFLICT: Text as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 and affected by c. 614, 9) (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/1/15) Nonresident junior fishing license expiration. A nonresident junior fishing license issued to a nonresident who has passed the nonresident's 15th birthday is valid through the calendar year for which the license was issued.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, 2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF) .]

5. (CONFLICT: Text as repealed by PL 2013, c. 380, 2 and affected by 5) (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/1/15) Nonresident junior fishing license expiration.

[ 2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF); 2013, c. 380, 2 (RP) .]

5. (CONFLICT: Text as repealed by PL 2013, c. 408, 19) Nonresident junior fishing license expiration.

[ 2013, c. 408, 19 (RP) .]

6. Schedule of fees. The fees for fishing licenses are as follows.

A. A resident fishing license is $25. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

B. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $42. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

C. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $42. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

D. (CONFLICT: Text as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11) (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/1/15) A nonresident junior fishing license, for persons 12 years of age or older and under 16 years of age, is $16. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

D. (CONFLICT: Text as repealed by PL 2013, c. 380, 3 and affected by 5) (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/1/15) [2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF); 2013, c. 380, 3 (RP).]

D. (CONFLICT: Text as repealed by PL 2013, c. 408, 20) [2013, c. 408, 20 (RP).]

E. A 3-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 72-hour period specified on the license, is $23. [2005, c. 12, Pt. III, 24 (AMD).]

F. A nonresident 7-day fishing license, valid for 7 days from date indicated on license, is $43. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

G. A nonresident 15-day fishing license, valid for 15 days from date indicated on license, is $47. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

H. A nonresident season fishing license for persons 16 years of age or older is $64. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

I. An alien season fishing license for persons 16 years of age or older is $84. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD).]

J. A one-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 24-hour period indicated on license, is $11. [2005, c. 12, Pt. III, 24 (AMD).]

[ 2013, c. 380, 3 (AMD); 2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF); 2013, c. 408, 20 (AMD) .]

7. Reciprocity with New Hampshire. As long as the State of New Hampshire has similar laws, a fishing license issued to any person by either this State or New Hampshire meets all requirements of the law for a fishing license with respect to fishing in any lake or pond that lies partly in both of the states of Maine and New Hampshire.

[ 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, 247 (AMD); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, 422 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 414, A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, 9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, B247 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, B422 (AFF). 2005, c. 12, III24 (AMD). 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, 11 (AMD). 2011, c. 253, 28 (AMD). 2013, c. 380, 1-3 (AMD). 2013, c. 380, 5 (AFF). 2013, c. 408, 19, 20 (AMD).