Maine Fishing Regulations

A person is required to obtain a valid fishing license prior to fishing in inland waters or transporting fish taken from inland waters. A person is required to keep his/her fishing license with him/her at all times while fishing or transporting fish and must exhibit their license for inspection by any warden, department employee, guide or landowner upon request.

Possession of fishing tackle in the fields or forest or on the waters or ice of this State without a fishing license is prima facie evidence of fishing in violation of the law.

When obtaining a resident license, it is the responsibility of the applicant to submit proof of residency.

Maine residents under 16 years or age and nonresidents under 12 years of age may fish without a license.

Maine residents (and immediate family members who live with that person ) may fish without a license from their own land if that person owns more than 10 acres of land, lives on that particular piece of land, and the land is used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

In-patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Togus may fish without a license within 25 miles of Togus (Note: Patients not under immediate supervision of a hospital representative must have a valid hospital pass while fishing.)

Fishing License Fees

Resident Fishing Licenses (Prices listed below do not include the agent fee.)

Superpack (16 & older) - $200.00

Combination Fishing/Archery (16 & older) - $42.00

Combination Hunting & Fishing (16 & older) - $42.00

Resident Fishing (16 and older) - $25.00

1-Day (24 hour) Fishing (16 & older) - $11.00

Serviceman (resident) Fishing and Hunting (16 & older) - $3.00
Serviceman Dependent Hunting (16 & older) - $10.00
Serviceman Dependent Fishing and Hunting (16 & older) - $20.00
Serviceman - Complimentary Military

Supersport - $20.00

Duplicate License - $2.00

Nonresident and Alien Fishing Licenses (Prices listed below do not include the agent fee.)

Combination Hunting & Fishing (16 & older) - $149.00

Nonresident Season Fishing (16 and older) - $64.00

15-Day Fishing (16 & older) - $47.00

7-Day Fishing (16 & older) - $43.00

3-Day (72-hour) Fishing (16 & older) - $23.00

1-Day (24 hour) Fishing (16 & older) - $11.00

Junior Fishing (12-15 years) - $16.00

Alien Combination Fishing and Hunting (16 & older) - $190.00

Alien Season Fishing (16 & older) - $84.00

Supersport - $20.00

Duplicate License - $2.00

Other Licenses and Permits

Bait Dealer's Licenses 

Children's Camp License. This license allows any of the boys or girls who are under 16 years of age to fish in the lake or pond adjacent to the camp. For more information, contact the Licensing Division at (207) 287-2571.

Fishing Derbies and Tournaments 

Expiration: Unless otherwise specifically provided, all licenses expire on December 31st of the calendar year for which they were issued.

Combination Hunting and Fishing License: A combination hunting and fishing license permits persons 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters and permits hunting of all legal big game and small game with a firearm, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow. An archery license is required to hunt during the archery and expanded archery seasons on deer, and during the fall turkey hunting season.

Combination Fishing and Archery License: A combination fishing and archery license permits persons 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters and permits hunting of all legal big game and small game with bow and arrow only.

Season Fishing License: A season fishing license is required for residents, nonresidents, and aliens 16 years of age or older to fish in the inland waters of Maine.

Note: A Maine resident under 16 years of age may fish without a fishing license. A nonresident or alien 12 years of age and under 16 years of age must purchase a junior fishing license.

Nonresident Junior Fishing License: A nonresident junior fishing license is required for nonresidents and aliens 12-15 years to fish in the inland waters of Maine.

15-Day Fishing License: A nonresident or alien 16 years of age and older may purchase a 15-day fishing license which permits them to fish in inland waters for the dates specified on the license. A nonresident 15-day fishing license may be exchanged for a non-resident season fishing license upon payment of $12.00 plus the agents fee.

7-Day Fishing License: A nonresident or alien 16 years of age and older may purchase a 7-day fishing license which permits them to fish in inland waters for the dates specified on the license.

3-Day Fishing License: A nonresident or alien 16 years of age and older may purchase a 3-day fishing license which permits them to fish in inland waters for the dates specified on the license.

1-Day Fishing License: A resident, nonresident, or alien 16 years of age and older may purchase a 1-day fishing license which permits them to fish in inland waters for the date specified on the license.

Note: A 1-day or 3-day fishing license may be exchanged by a Maine resident for a season fishing or combination hunting and fishing license upon payment of the agent fee, plus the difference between that fee and the fee for the annual license.

Duplicate License: A duplicate license may be obtained from the license agent who issued original license for $2.00.

Supersport: A supersport certificate may be obtained for any of Maine’s hunting and fishing licenses for an additional fee of $20.00. See Supersport Program for more information.

Maine Fishing License Revocation Information

Anglers should be aware that a conviction for any fishing violation may result in the revocation of their fishing privileges.

Fishing Violations with a Minimum Mandatory One Year License Revocation

The Commissioner is required by law to suspend a person’s fishing license for at least one year and may suspend all other Department Licenses held by a person if that person is convicted of any one of the following violations:

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Law (Title 12) also contains mandatory two, three and five year revocations for convictions of other violations. The revocations listed above apply to violations of fishing laws only.