Fly Fishing

Marcel_Karssies · Location: Enschede - The Netherlands

I know that RI was in the process of introducing a saltwater fishing license
for non-commercial angling.
Can anybody tell me if these regulations are in place and where I might obtain such a license ?

lungdoc · Location: Cumberland, RI

I am not sure I have a complete answer for you but here it goes: In 2010 you will require a license to fish saltwater in RI (unless you are a client on a fishing charter). The licenses will be available online after March 1st. Residents will pay $7 and non-residents will pay either $10 for the entire year or $5 dollars for 7 days. When you do get a license you will be automatically registered with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. You can get more info at www.dem.ri.gov/topics/mftopics.htm

Hope this helps. Confused

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

In NY this went into effect last season around Oct 1. You could just buy the license along with your freshwater license. Many towns fought this on long island and i believe there was a boycott in one of the counties. In Connecticut they implemented it and then didn't and then did and then didn't and confused everyone. In Jersey they didn't implement it. It will be interesting to see how they solve the issue in these states that have boundary waters. Say you launched in Connecticut, fished around the area, motored east into rhode island and then went across the sound to montauk. You would need 3 licenses, very impractical. How do you know exactly where the border is? What about way offshore tuna fishing? I know that commercial captains had to buy a much more expensive license in NY regardless of boat size which was very unfair since a guy with a party boat paid the same as a guy doing small striper charters. The overall goal of this is well intentioned to put money back into the marine habitat, but the details have a lot of working out to be done.

Marcel, this is a little diversion from your original question sorry. I am assuming that you will just be able to buy it where you get freshwater licenses as well as online like lungdoc said.

Marcel_Karssies · Location: Enschede - The Netherlands

Thanks for the info, will look at the RI site again in March.

It was pretty confusing with this license business, sometimes I look in the Stripersonline forum RI section and that is where I first heard of the license rumours.

Since I only found the freshwater license and commercial saltwater licenses I wondered what was going on.
Was not there not also an option that licenses from one state where
accepted in another state if they a deal going between those states?

I have no problems paying for a license but it would sure be nice to
do it online and in advance. Hopefully they will spend the money generated by the licensing wisely.

lungdoc · Location: Cumberland, RI

Unfortunately the RI General Assembly spending money wisely is an oxymoron. With the state heading toward insolvency we can be assured that the money will not go towards anything remotely related to fishing. I am a lung physician and was witness to the tobacco settlement money going toward politicians pals and filling (some) potholes. None of it went to health education, patient care etc.

Sorry I rant but the "leadership" of this state has been derelict in its duty. Evil or Very Mad

captmike · Posted: Tue 02/09/10 6:09 pm Post subject:

Yeah this is a mess. The federal license only works in states that don't have a license (mass and NJ) but there's reciprocity between most neighboring states. I forget exactly how it works but I think CT licenses work in NY and RI as well.

wrh · Location: capital district NY

Because of the close proximity of many of the states waters ie NY, RI, CT and NJ each state SW license states that it will recognize others states license holders IF that state has reciprocal rights.

What I wonder is if one is fishing in the an estuary is one still covered. For example if I had a CT license could I fish in the Hudson river hundreds of miles upriver from the ocean to chase stripers or would I need a NY license to do that?

AvidDavid · Location: Long Island, NY

Robin:

I think that most states define the limit of SW fishing as the highest point on the river that experiences tidal changes. It is usually defined in the fishing regulations. I think that the Hudson has a dam not too far upstream from NYC that is stated as the dividing line... but you probably have a NY license anyway!

Dave

wrh · Location: capital district NY

the dam in question is in Troy way upstream from the big apple. I was more wondering how it worked for other situations ie salt ponds?