Maine doesn’t have a saltwater fishing license. What it has is a saltwater recreational fishing registry, run by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). If you fish Maine’s coast, you generally need to be on it, unless one of the exemptions below applies, and many anglers qualify for one.
Signing up takes a few minutes and costs, at most, a dollar or two in processing fees. Here is who needs to register, who doesn’t, and how to do it.
Do You Need to Register to Fish Saltwater in Maine?
Most likely, yes. Maine law says you can’t fish recreationally in coastal waters, or land or possess fish taken from them, unless you are registered or exempt. That covers fishing from a boat and fishing from shore. Registration is annual, and you need to carry proof of your registration (or of your exemption) while you fish or transport your catch.
Who Is Exempt From the Registry?
DMR lists these exemptions. Check the DMR registry page for the current list before you fish.
- Anyone under 16
- Anyone with a valid Maine freshwater fishing license (a lifetime license does not count)
- Holders of a valid DMR commercial fishing license
- Maine residents fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4th, or Labor Day weekend
- Passengers on a for-hire vessel whose captain holds a valid for-hire charter boat operator’s license
- Anglers fishing from a dock, pier, or wharf owned by a smelt-wharf operator license holder, or renting a smelt camp from one
- Anglers registered or licensed for saltwater fishing in another state, or registered with the National Saltwater Angler Registry
- Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or Aroostook Band of Micmacs
What Does the Maine Saltwater Registry Cost?
The registration itself is free under Maine law. What you pay is a small processing fee, and it depends on where you sign up:
- $1 online through the DMR licensing system
- $1 by mail, or in person at DMR’s Augusta office
- $2 at a Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife license agent when saltwater registration is your only purchase
Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the DMR page when you register.
How to Register
Online is the fastest. Use the link on the DMR registry page. By mail: print the application from the same page and mail it with your payment. In person: visit DMR’s Augusta office (32 Blossom Lane) or a license agent such as a town office or a larger tackle shop. If you use an agent, tell them you only want the saltwater registration.
Already Have a Maine Fishing License?
If your Maine freshwater fishing license is current, DMR treats you as exempt, but a lifetime license does not count. If you need a freshwater license too, see our Maine fishing license guide for fees and where to buy, or use the fishing license selector to find the right one.
Other Things to Know
- Halibut: anglers fishing for halibut have extra requirements. They must register and obtain recreational halibut tags. Ask DMR for the current rules.
- Penalties: fishing without registering is a civil violation under Maine law (12 M.R.S. ยง6312), with fines starting at $100.
- Registry vs. regulations: registering only puts you on the list. Size limits, bag limits, and seasons are separate, and DMR publishes saltwater recreational fishing regulations each year.
Maine Saltwater Fishing Registry FAQ
Is there a Maine saltwater fishing license?
No. Maine requires saltwater anglers to register with DMR instead. It works like a license in practice, since it’s annual and you carry proof, but the registration itself is free and you pay only a small processing fee.
Do non-residents need to register?
Yes, unless an exemption applies. Examples are holding a valid Maine freshwater fishing license, being registered in another state, or being registered with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Do kids need to register?
No. Anyone under 16 is exempt.
Do I need to register to fish from shore?
Yes, unless you’re exempt. The rule covers recreational fishing in Maine’s coastal waters, whether from a boat or from shore.
Do I need to register on a charter boat?
No, not as a passenger on a for-hire vessel whose captain holds a valid for-hire charter boat operator’s license.
How long does the registration last?
It’s annual. Check the DMR registry page for the current expiration date, and carry proof of your registration whenever you fish or transport your catch.
Registry rules and fees are set by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and can change. Confirm the details on the DMR registry page before you fish.