That's correct. The only purpose of the registry is to count noses--put a number on the recreational fishing population. Which is why most if not all states are granting license reciprocity--they only want everyone to be counted once. Once you have a license, the state that issued it will presumably send the requested data to NOAA.

I'm still 20 steps behind you guys... seeing as I am still having a hard time swallowing the fact that someone is now "allowing" me to cast a line into the unstocked ocean, charging me a TAX to do so, and then spending my money nowhere near the ocean!!! Honestly not sure how I am going to proceed...

Thanks Tex. I was just about to post that as I just got online.

So I understand everyone's anti-license sentiments. I am with you but if you think by not getting one you will further you cause you are mistaken. The Feds are gonna do this whether you participate this year, next year or 40 years from now.
Sometime in the future they will start charging us a fee. It's gonna happen and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Protest all you want, the *astards will surely win.

As for my .02, I just registered so I don't get boarded by some zealous Fed this Spring and have my day ruined.

Eben - my car needs washing ... can you recommend any for me please? :drool:

... So what you are saying for those of us up here in Mass, but we also like to fish RI/CT/NY ... that we get a CT nonresident license and then we are covered for those three states?

Reason I ask is that my parents live in Stonington, and for years I have fished the Watch Hill Reefs and Fisher's Island regions - in essence fishing three states by boat in a very short time frame ... although CT is way inside of the two in that area ... but it would be expensive to have to pay for more than one out of state license to fish there ... $60 for CT non-resident is expensive enough ...

Then why the hell are paying for a license next year, if this is free why can't it be like this always..

Paul, I agree, but with 25 million saltwater fishermen a few more
"I Fish--I Vote" bumper stickers wouldn't hurt.

wrong. Reciprocity is granted to you in a non resident state only if you are licensed in your resident state. It works like the credit for taxes paid to another state.

You don't get to choose your resident state.

stcroixman, I was thinking about this myself. It would seem the intent of the reciprocity would only be granted if you are licensed in your home state; but I have not come across anything indicating that you have to be licensed in your home state to enjoy reciprocity. I live in CT and was going to bypass purchasing the CT resident license and purchase a NY Non-resident license to cover myself for NJ, NY, CT, RI and MA. Where are you finding information stating that you have to be licensed in your home state?

it's common sense first, but peruse any of the states laws that have passed.
You can't pick and choose and a Ct NR license is not going to get you NY reciprocity when you have a RI drivers License for an ID.

go to msba.net follow to noaa and reg.their it took my zip code mine start with 0****

I just did the same, even though I hold a pelagic tuna permit...pretty easy.

I've got both also! Did you get a confirmatory e-mail from the saltwater registry? I didn't but I printed out the registration card as proof.

I printed mine out a s well, I did it from work at lunch time but used my home e-mail, so I dont know if it was confirmed...

Point me to the applicable language that says only a resident holding an out-of-state licese will be granted reciprocity.

From the CT DEP website:

What is a reciprocal license privilege? (Is there reciprocity with any other states?)

Connecticut law allows non-resident anglers who hold a marine waters fishing license in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Maine to fish in the marine district and land marine fish in this state without a Connecticut license provided the state issuing the marine license affords the same privilege to resident Connecticut marine license holders.

From the language of the NH license bill--it's limited reciprocity but nothing in the legislation says you have to have a Mass or Maine resident license.


(c) A nonresident holding a valid recreational saltwater license or a for-hire charter or party boat saltwater license from Maine or Massachusetts, shall be allowed to take, possess, or transport finfish from New Hampshire coastal and estuarine waters, provided that the state in which such person purchased a recreational saltwater license or in which the for-hire vessel is registered allows an angler with a New Hampshire recreational saltwater license or a saltwater for-hire vessel with a for-hire license from New Hampshire to recreationally take, possess, or transport finfish in that state’s coastal and estuarine waters.