Fishing Fines

[The Boatwiser]

A renter we had over the weekend from out of state was stopped by what he said was a game wardon - I have never seen one - and fined for fishing without a NH fishing license. He said the fine was "way too much" as he left to go home. Does anyone know what the fine is?

[RamJet]

I don't know what the fine is.

But I do know that I sitting north of Weirs near the Mount's pier in early May eating lunch with fishing rods in the water and was visited by a NH Fish and Game Warden.

Two people, small unmarked center console boat, brown jackets with what looked like official patches on the sleeves. I showed him my NH license and had left.

[Mink Islander]

I fished both Saturday and Sunday and was approached by NH F&G officers both mornings. Honestly, the first time I've been checked in the summer months in over 20 years on the lake. Very common when ice fishing. Nice to see the stepped up enforcement. I think it's terrific they ticketed your renter. Every fisherman knows they need a license to fish in NH and that money helps supports programs beneficial to the sport. Are there states that don't require licenses? I doubt it. I suspect he won't forget to buy the license next time.

In my weekend contacts, both F&G officers were very friendly, and didn't make me pull my trolling lines when they approached. They simply came close along side near enough while I trolled along so they could see into my boat, talk easily with me and could view my license (albeit from a distance). Couldn't have been more professional.

[jrc]

A renter we had over the weekend from out of state was stopped by what he said was a game wardon - I have never seen one - and fined for fishing without a NH fishing license. He said the fine was "way too much" as he left to go home. Does anyone know what the fine is?

I couldn't find it, but since the out-of-state license costs around $53, I suspect it would be substantially more than that. Otherwise it isn't much of a deterent.

[Just Sold]

.......
Two people, small unmarked center console boat, brown jackets with what looked like official patches on the sleeves. I showed him my NH license and had left.

This is the boat F&G use. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9573&cat=500&ppuser=628
We saw them when we reported a dead deer earlier this year. They are the ones who were authorized to remove it.

[onthebay]

Does my son need a license to fish off our dock? What is the age requirement for a fishing license?

[NightWing]

Does my son need a license to fish off our dock? What is the age requirement for a fishing license?


TITLE XVIII
FISH AND GAME
CHAPTER 214
LICENSES
Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping
Section 214:2
214:2 License Required; Exception. –
I. The provisions of RSA 214:1 shall not apply to resident land owners while upon their own land or to the owner's children under 16 years of age when accompanied by the owner or another licensed person 18 years of age or over on such land, to persons fishing in ponds operated and maintained in an aquaculture operation, to persons hunting on a regulated shooting area, to persons under 16 years of age while fishing, to persons under 16 years of age while hunting when accompanied by a licensee 18 years of age or over, or to residents under 16 years of age while trapping when accompanied by a licensee 18 years of age or over.
II. Fishing licenses may be issued without charge to resident legally blind persons, but no hunting licenses shall be issued to such persons. A fishing license issued to a resident blind person shall be effective during the remainder of the person's life unless sooner suspended or revoked by the executive director. The executive director may issue complimentary nonresident fishing licenses to legally blind persons if the state in which the person is a resident provides a reciprocal privilege for legally blind residents of this state. The executive director shall determine the form of such complimentary licenses. A complimentary nonresident fishing license under this paragraph shall be effective for the lifetime of the applicant unless sooner suspended or revoked by the executive director.

Source. 1935, 124:7. RL 247:2. 1947, 163:1. 1951, 130:1. RSA 214:2. 1973, 72:21. 1983, 35:2. 1985, 291:12. 1990, 165:2, eff. Jan. 1, 1991. 2001, 180:5, eff. July 1, 2001.

[onthebay]

I will interpet and you tell me if I am right.

TITLE XVIII
FISH AND GAME
CHAPTER 214
LICENSES
Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping
Section 214:2
214:2 License Required; Exception. –
I. The provisions of RSA 214:1 shall not apply to resident land owners while upon their own land or to the owner's children under 16 years of age when accompanied by the owner or another licensed person 18 years of age or over on such land, to persons fishing in ponds operated and maintained in an aquaculture operation, to persons hunting on a regulated shooting area, to persons under 16 years of age while fishing, to persons under 16 years of age while hunting when accompanied by a licensee 18 years of age or over, or to residents under 16 years of age while trapping when accompanied by a licensee 18 years of age or over.



I can fish from my land without a license.
My friend would need a license to fish from my land.
My son can fish from my land without a license until he is 16, but only if I am with him or with another adult with a license.

Does that mean he can't fish without me or a licensed adult either from my land or elsewhere, or does this sentence cover him.

to persons under 16 years of age while fishing,

[NightWing]

Executive Director’s Office
director@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-3511
fax 603-271-1438
Comments
comments@wildlife.state.nh.us
License Information, Merchandise 603-271-3421
or 603-271-3422
License Agent Accounting

603-271-2743
Wildlife Division
wilddiv@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-2461
or 603-271-2462
U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services 603-223-6832
Inland Fisheries Division
fish@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-2501
or 603-271-2502
Bureau of Land Resources 603-271-2224
Facility Maintenance and Construction 603-271-1134
Support Services Division 603-271-2741
Marine Fisheries Division 603-868-1095
Public Affairs Division,
Information and Wildlife Education
info@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-3211
Hunter Education
hunter-ed@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-3214
Aquatic Resources Education
aquatic-ed@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-3212
Law Enforcement Division
law@wildlife.state.nh.us 603-271-3127
Dispatch
Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
Sept. 1 to Dec. 5, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 603-271-3361
Off Highway Recreational Vehicles
ohrv@wildlife.state.nh.us Registration: 603-271-4300
Education: 603-271-3129
Regional Offices
Region 1 (North Country)
629B Main Street, Lancaster NH 03584
reg1@nhfgd.org 603-788-3164
fax 603-788-4823
Region 2 (Lakes Region)
PO Box 417, New Hampton NH 03256
reg2@nhfgd.org 603-744-5470
fax 603-744-6302
Region 3 (Southeast N.H./Seacoast)
225 Main Street, Durham NH 03824
rjohnston@nhfgd.org
fish@wildlife.state.nh.us (fishing only) 603-868-1095
fax 603-868-3305
Region 4 (Southwest N.H.)
15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, NH 03431
reg4@nhfgd.org 603-352-9669
fax 603-352-8798

[Skip]

I will interpet and you tell me if I am right.....
I can fish from my land without a license...

No. You can fish unlicensed on your land, but not necessarily from your land. If you own a small fish pond within the borders of your own property, you can fish that without a license as the landowner. You cannot stand on the shore of your Winni cottage (or cast from your dock) and fish into the public waters unless you have a license.

...My friend would need a license to fish from my land...

Yes, that is correct (unless you were operating a recognized aquaculture fish farm).

...My son can fish from my land without a license until he is 16, but only if I am with him or with another adult with a license...

You are confusing the fishing exemption with the hunting & trapping requirements. Youths under 16 years of age are not required to have a license to fish and thay do not have to have a licensed adult present to fish. However, they must have a licensed adult supervising them when hunting or trapping.

There are many stores in the Lakes region that carry New Hampshire hunting & fishing pamphlets as published by the NH Fish & Game Department. These pamphlets will answer all your questions and provide a wealth of information on the many fine hunting, fishing & trapping opportunities in this great State. I would recommend you pick up a couple at your next convenience. Usually if an establishment sells hunting & fishing licenses, chances are they have an ample supply of these guides on hand also.

Hope this helped.....

Skip

[onthebay]

Thanks for clearing that up. When I saw the word "upon" I was thinking that was what they meant. (a small pond within the boundaries) but wasn't sure...

[Grant]

I'm never surprised to see the F&G guys...I get checked at least once every summer. Never in the spring. But they will appear out of nowhere and do a license check all up and down our shore. So keep that license handy, because even the out-of-state season-long license is cheaper than being caught fishing without one.

[Lakegeezer]

So, anyone know what the fine is? Can they take your equipment, or is that just a rumor I heard?

I've seen them around a lot more this year than in the past. We were stopped in the spring. They pulled along side as we were trolling, and were very polite - did not make us stop and pull in the lines. One person in the boat did not have their license with them. It was still in digital format, in the computer and unprinted. The F&G guy took their name and called it in to verify - no problem. That is what radios and computers are for! :D

I'm leary about letting F&G (or MP for that matter) get too close unless they force the issue. Ten or more years ago, F&G pulled up to a buddy's boat - which was stopped. There was some wake around, and as they came close, they knocked the electric horn off his boat. All we got was a "sorry".

[Skip]

...So, anyone know what the fine is?...

Was $60.00 back in 2002.....been awhile since I refreshed my supply of F&G summonses. The boss says there's a new fine schedule out with a slight increase in the fine schedule, I'll post the new fine(s) when I get them.

Skip

[jrc]

Reminds me of the old three stooges bit. It must be good hunting here, the sign says "Fine for Hunting".

[gtxrider]

New Hampshire had licenses for several days so you don't need to spend the BIG BUCKS for the season if you don't need it. Do they still exist? CHEAPER than a fine!:(

[Frank99]

Myself and some friends head to the Lake every year and we always make sure we buy a license. Why would someone think they don't need one ?? It is $28.00 for a three day license. Why not just obey the laws ?? I come from Rhode Island and i know you need a license to fish here. So is it just not knowing or just ignorance ??? Don't ruin it for everyone else just get your license !!!!!

[Island Life]

Pretty sure the fine is still $60 - and I do believe they can take your fishing equipment as well. At least that's the rumour that F&G has passed along and something I've always believed. Also, when a parent takes their child fishing, the parent cannot cast, change the bait or take the fish off for the child without having a license.

And no, you cannot fish in the lake from your own property without a license. Have close-to-personal experience with this one!