Title 12: CONSERVATION

Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE

Chapter 923: FISH: FISHING SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS

Subchapter 2: LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS

§12501. General fishing license

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.  

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

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

[PL 2013, c. 380, §1 (AMD); PL 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.  

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 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.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 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.   [PL 2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD).]

[PL 2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD).]

5.  Nonresident junior fishing license expiration. 

[PL 2021, c. 184, §8 (RP).]

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

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

B. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $43.   [PL 2023, c. 228, §11 (AMD).]

C. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $43.   [PL 2023, c. 228, §12 (AMD).]

D. [PL 2013, c. 538, §41 (RPR); MRSA T. 12 §12501, sub-§6, ¶D (RP).]

E. A 3-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 72-hour period specified on the license, is $23.   [PL 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.   [PL 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.   [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD).]

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

I. [PL 2017, c. 427, §18 (RP); PL 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF).]

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

[PL 2023, c. 228, §§11, 12 (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.  

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

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B247 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 12, §III24 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 380, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 380, §5 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 408, §§19, 20 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 538, §§40, 41 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 427, §18 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 184, §8 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 228, §§11, 12 (AMD).