Now that it's been almost 1 year that we've been required to have a salt water fishing license, I'm wondering if anyone has ever been asked to produce theirs by a law enforcement officer.

Nope, infact one evening there was a squirrel cop sittin in his truck at gooseberry while I geared up and he never even got out. Good thing, cause I didn't have it at the time...........

No not yet, I don't think I have seen a Green Cop in about 3 years

The NOAA Registry card isn't a license, and I was told by an EPO in April that they had no plans to enforce it this year. It's required by Federal law, and my instinct is that the EP cops couldn't care less about it. It's a non-revenue producer.

Plus, I hear that our license may not even get implemented by January of 2011.

What made me even think about it (the license/registration) was that I was fishing the canal this morning with no one within 200 yards of me either direction when a park ranger pulls up right behind me on the access road. I figured he was going to make some "request" but he just got out of the cab with a bucket and a trash stick and started gathering up garbage. A few coffee cups and candy wrappers later he's back in the truck and off he goes.

No,I've seen the EP at the ditch.One guy got out of truck,tape measure in hand went down rocks and measured someones catch.Cant say if he checked for reg. card.
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No,I've seen the EP at the ditch.One guy got out of truck,tape measure in hand went down rocks and measured someones catch.Cant say if he checked for reg. card.
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The EP went down the rocks!? Usually they make you drag your fish up to them.

I've seen 1 this whole season. Driving the other way on Rt. 6 in Truro. No where else.

At Head of the Meadow a NPS Ranger came upon me while I was fishing and asked to see mine. He was friendly enough but asked and I had it with me.

He went down with a bit of intent too.Maybe there was some history with the guy fishing.I was kind of surprised myself. He went back up emptyhanded and drove off,went right by me with a wave.
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Seen them at BRP and PJL in gannset. from my understanding and conversation there perception is if you look like you know what your doing and not takin undersized fish they dont care.
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Seen them at BRP and PJL in gannset. from my understanding and conversation there perception is if you look like you know what your doing and not takin undersized fish they dont care.
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So does that mean they stereotype / racial profile as well????

Saw EPO last night when I went to the canal and about 3-4 times between last night and this morning. They seem to be hanging around the canal area more often, which I appreciate.

With regards to the Saltwater License, I've heard that the Coasties are asking people for their cards while doing safety checks.

What made me even think about it (the license/registration) was that I was fishing the canal this morning with no one within 200 yards of me either direction when a park ranger pulls up right behind me on the access road. I figured he was going to make some "request" but he just got out of the cab with a bucket and a trash stick and started gathering up garbage. A few coffee cups and candy wrappers later he's back in the truck and off he goes.


The Corps of Engineers Rangers have no law enforcement authority. According to Bill Norman, the Engineer in Charge of the Canal.

Also, according to most of the cops I know, they're not even supposed to have those blue light bars on their trucks, as they have no law enforcement authority, and those lights are reserved for enforcement agencies.

Also, bird season opened on Saturday, and deer/archery on Monday, so the EPOs are also doing hunting enforcement now. I've still seen them showing a presence on the Canal all season. But no one I know has ever been asked for their NOAA registry card by any EPO.

Kinda =sorta. It was required with our inspection equipment to get a permit to drive the Parker River Wildlife Refuge.
One of the other guys was asked to produce his while he was walk on fishing and he didn't have it. He was told he could not fish until he had one.