Saltwater Anglers Must Pay $12 Fee to Legally Cast Lines
Published Date: 9/3/2025
Notice
Summary
If you love saltwater fishing, you’ll now need to pay a $12 yearly fee to register under the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program. This affects anglers, spear fishers, and for-hire fishing boats starting soon. The fee helps manage and protect our ocean fish, so everyone can keep enjoying the catch!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
$12 Annual Fee for Saltwater Anglers
If you fish in saltwater as an angler, you must pay a $12.00 annual fee to register under the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program.
$12 Annual Fee for Spear Fishers
If you harvest saltwater fish by spearfishing, you must pay a $12.00 annual fee to register under the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program.
Annual $12 Registration for For‑Hire Fishing Vessels
If you operate a for-hire fishing vessel, the vessel must be registered under the National Saltwater Angler Registry Program and pay an annual fee of $12.00.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05599 — Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-11987 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; 2026 and Projected 2027 and 2028 Specifications
Starting June 15, 2026, new skate fishing rules kick in for the Northeast U.S. These rules set catch limits for 2026 and projections for 2027 and 2028, while letting fishers keep more skate wings and bait per trip. This helps protect skate populations and gives fishers more freedom to work smart and steady.
2026-11960 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the City of Kodiak St. Herman Harbor Infrastructure Rebuild Project
The City of Kodiak got permission to do construction work on St. Herman Harbor that might accidentally disturb some local marine mammals. This work will happen in two phases, each lasting up to a year starting June 2026, and the project promises to keep impacts on animals very low. It’s a big step to improve the harbor while protecting wildlife and respecting local needs.
2026-11986 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Mid-Atlantic Blueline Tilefish and Golden Tilefish Fisheries; 2026 Specifications
Starting June 15, 2026, new fishing rules set how many golden and blueline tilefish can be caught north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. These limits help keep fish populations healthy while supporting both commercial and recreational fishers. If you fish or sell these tilefish, get ready for updated catch limits that balance fun, food, and the future!
2026-11859 — Fisheries of the Gulf of America; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review; Public Meeting
Fishermen, environmental groups, and fishery managers in the Gulf and South Atlantic are invited to join a free webinar on June 29, 2026, kicking off a big review of Black Sea Bass fish stocks. This review will help decide how to keep fishing fair and fish populations healthy, with no immediate cost changes but important future management decisions ahead. Everyone’s input counts in this step-by-step process to protect our ocean friends and fishing jobs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-16829 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Fishing groups in Maine want special permission to try new fishing methods that don’t follow the usual rules. The government checked their application and says it looks good enough to think about more. Now, everyone has a chance to share their thoughts before a final decision is made.
Next: 2025-16831 — Discontinuance of Information Collections
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is stopping two surveys—the Mink Survey and the Agricultural Labor Survey—because they’re no longer needed or repeat info already collected. This means farmers and workers won’t have to fill out these forms anymore, saving time and hassle. The change helps the government work smarter and cuts down on paperwork without extra costs or delays.