Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 08 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Subtitle 02 - FISHERIES SERVICE › Chapter 08.02.01 - General › Section 08.02.01.07 - Recreational Fishing License and Registration

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Nontidal Angler's License. A person shall be licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §
									4-604, Annotated Code of Maryland, to fish in the nontidal waters of the State.
B. Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License and Registration.
(1) A person shall be licensed or registered in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §
										4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland, to fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries up to tidal boundaries or in State waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic coastal bays and tributaries.
(2) Special Licenses.
(a) Charter Boat License. The Department may issue a special charter boat license decal to an individual who pays the fee set forth in Natural Resources Article, §
											4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland, that is valid in tidal waters of the State Tor all individuals on a:
(i) Single vessel operated by a fishing guide licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §§
												4-210.1 or  4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(ii) Vessel under the guidance of a fishing guide licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §
												4-210, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(b) Recreational Boat License.
(i) The Department may issue a special Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license decal, which when permanently affixed to a boat registered in any state shall authorize any person on the boat to fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or in its tributaries up to tidal boundaries or in State waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic coastal bays and tributaries, to an individual who pays the fee set forth in Natural Resources Article, §
												4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(ii) The license decal may not be used on a boat that has been hired to take persons fishing.
(3) License Decals. Except as provided in §B(4) of this regulation, a decal issued in place of a special license described in §B(2) of this regulation:
(a) Shall be permanently affixed and displayed on either side of the forward half of the vessel for which issued;
(b) Is not transferable;
(c) Shall be color coded, dated, and of a size to be visible; and
(d) Shall, when displayed, exempt all persons aboard the vessel for which the decal was issued or under the guidance of a licensed fishing guide from the requirement of possessing an individual license to fish recreationally
(4) Exemption for License Decals. If the license decal is not permanently affixed to the vessel, all persons aboard the vessel or under the guidance of a licensed fishing guide are exempt from the requirement of possessing an individual license to fish recreationally only if:
(a) The individual who purchased the license decal is present on the vessel/or which the decal was issued;
(b) The individual who purchased the license decal is in possession of the proof of purchase issued by the Department; and
(c) The license decal was purchased within the previous 10 calendar days.
(5) Replacement Decals. If the decal issued in place of a Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the decal was originally issued may apply for replacement decal by submitting to the Department:
(a) An application on a form required by the Department that includes a statement regarding the need for replacement; and
(b) A fee of $5.
(6) Registration. A person shall be registered in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §
										4-745, Annotated Code of Maryland prior to fishing in the following areas that do not require a fishing license:
(a) A free fishing area described in §D of this regulation with hook and line;
(b) On private real property bordering on tidal water as an owner or tenant of the property, or a spouse or an immediate family member who resides on the property with the owner or tenant; and
(c) On a boat licensed as a recreational boat as described in §B(2)(b) of this regulation.
(7) Possession of License or Registration.
(a) The Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license or registration shall be in the possession of the person fishing and is not transferable.
(b) In addition to possession of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license or registration, the person fishing shall also possess a separate form of identification.