Section 12501 - General fishing license1.License required. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Part, a person may not fish for, transport or possess fish without a valid license issued under this section. Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.
[2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
2.Eligibility. The commissioner may issue the following licenses to the following persons:A. A resident fishing license to a resident 16 years of age or older; and [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]B. A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 16 years of age or older. [2013, c. 380, §1 (AMD); 2013, c. 380, §5 (AFF).] [2013, c. 380, §1 (AMD); 2013, c. 380, §5 (AFF).]
3.Agent's fee. Clerks or other agents appointed by the commissioner to issue licenses shall charge a fee of $2 for each license issued. The commissioner shall charge a fee of $1 for each fishing license issued by department employees. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
4.Exchange of licenses. A license issued under this section may not be exchanged for another license except as provided in this subsection. Temporary licenses may be exchanged for annual licenses as follows. A. A resident who possesses a one-day or 3-day fishing license may exchange it in the municipality in which that person resides for an annual resident fishing license or a resident combination hunting and fishing license upon the payment to the clerk or issuing agent of $2 and the difference between the fee for the one-day or 3-day license and the fee for the annual license. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]B. A nonresident who possesses a 15-day nonresident fishing license may exchange it for an annual nonresident license upon the payment of the difference between the fee for the 15-day license and the fee for the annual license and $2 to the clerk or issuing agent. [2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD).] [2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD).]
5.Nonresident junior fishing license expiration.[2021, c. 184, §8 (RP).]
6.Schedule of fees. The fees for fishing licenses are as follows.A. A resident fishing license is $25. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD).]B. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $43. [2023, c. 228, §11 (AMD).]C. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $43. [2023, c. 228, §12 (AMD).]D. [2013, c. 538, §41 (RPR); MRSA T. 12 §12501, sub-§6, ¶D (RP).]E. A 3-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 72-hour period specified on the license, is $23. [2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §24 (AMD).]F. A nonresident 7-day fishing license, valid for 7 days from date indicated on license, is $43. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD).]G. A nonresident 15-day fishing license, valid for 15 days from date indicated on license, is $47. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD).]H. A nonresident season fishing license for persons 16 years of age or older is $64. [2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD).]I. [2017, c. 427, §18 (RP); 2017, c. 427, §19 (AFF).]J. A one-day fishing license for a resident or nonresident, valid for the 24-hour period indicated on license, is $11. [2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §24 (AMD).] [2023, c. 228, §§11, 12 (AMD).]
7.Reciprocity with New Hampshire. As long as the State of New Hampshire has similar laws, a fishing license issued to any person by either this State or New Hampshire meets all requirements of the law for a fishing license with respect to fishing in any lake or pond that lies partly in both of the states of Maine and New Hampshire. [2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §247 (AMD); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
Amended by 2023SP1, c. 228,§ 12, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2023SP1, c. 228,§ 11, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2021SP1, c. 184,§ 8, eff. 10/18/2021.Amended by 2018SP2, c. 427,§ 18, eff. 1/1/2019.Amended by 2014, c. 538,§ 40, eff. 4/10/2014 and § 41.Amended by 2013, c. 408,§ 19 and § 20, eff. 10/9/2013.Amended by 2013, c. 380,§ 1 to § 3, eff. 1/1/2015.Amended by 2011, c. 253,§ 28, eff. 6/8/2011.2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW) . 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF) . 2003, c. 614, § 9 (AFF) . 2003, c. 655, §B247 (AMD) . 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF) . 2005, c. 12, §III24 (AMD) . 2009, c. 213, Pt. OO, §11 (AMD) .