RI Fishing license info 2012 and DEM police numbers

[Mike P]

YOU DO NOT NEED A SALTWATER LICENSE TO FISH IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 2010.

Either a Federal registry card or a RI/CT license will provide proof of registration.

You WILL need a valid saltwater license to fish in Massachusetts beginning January 1, 2011. This can be a Massachusetts license, OR a RESIDENT license from a state that grants reciprocity to Massachusetts residents. As of now, the states that grant such reciprocity are NH, RI and CT. The Federal registry card alone WILL NOT allow you to fish in Massachusetts next year.

I hope this makes it clear. There is way too much confusion and wrong information being bandied about.

[Notaro]

Originally Posted by Mike P

YOU DO NOT NEED A SALTWATER LICENSE TO FISH IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 2010.

Either a Federal registry card or a RI/CT license will provide proof of registration.

You WILL need a valid saltwater license to fish in Massachusetts beginning January 1, 2011. This can be a Massachusetts license, OR a RESIDENT license from a state that grants reciprocity to Massachusetts residents. As of now, the states that grant such reciprocity are NH, RI and CT. The Federal registry card alone WILL NOT allow you to fish in Massachusetts next year.

I hope this makes it clear. There is way too much confusion and wrong information being bandied about.

So I'm good to go whenever I fish in RI, CT, and MA right now. What about NY? it asked me where do i fish frequently. I clicked on NY because I am planning to fish in LI. Is it invalid in NY, especially Long Island marine water?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Notaro

So I'm good to go whenever I fish in RI, CT, and MA right now. What about NY? it asked me where do i fish frequently. I clicked on NY because I am planning to fish in LI. Is it invalid in NY, especially Long Island marine water?

No, you are only good to go in Mass and RI. You will need a SW license from some state to fish CT. This year, because of the way the law is worded, there's a loophole that will allow you to fish in CT with a non-resident RI license. This will then cover you in CT, RI and Mass---this year.

You will not be covered in NY. You will have to buy a NY non-resident license. If you were a CT resident and had a CT license, you could fish LI Sound only on your CT license. As I read the NY law, they will not honor a CT non-resident license.

The Federal Registry is not a license--it's just that--a master list of recreational anglers. The Registry card will not allow you to fish in any state that requires a SW license this year, except for RI--as Piemma explained it.