1. 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.
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 [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 16 years of age or older. [PL 2013, c. 380, §1 (AMD); PL 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.
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. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 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. [PL 2011, c. 253, §28 (AMD).]
5. Nonresident junior fishing license expiration.
6. Schedule of fees. The fees for fishing licenses are as follows.
A. A resident fishing license is $30. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
B. A resident combination hunting and fishing license is $48. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
C. A resident combination archery hunting and fishing license is $48. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
D. [PL 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 $30. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
F. A nonresident 7-day fishing license, valid for 7 days from date indicated on license, is $62. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
G. A nonresident 15-day fishing license, valid for 15 days from date indicated on license, is $66. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
H. A nonresident season fishing license for persons 16 years of age or older is $83. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (AMD).]
I. [PL 2017, c. 427, §18 (RP); PL 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 $18. [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. NNN, §6 (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.