How much does the license cost?
The fee is $10 for residents age 16-64, the license is free for residents age 65 and older, and $60 for non-residents age 16 and older.

Will anglers age 65 and older be required to get the Marine Waters Fishing License every year?
Yes. The license is free for resident anglers age 65 and older, but a new license must be obtained every year. This is needed to meet the requirements for exemption from a federal registry.

Are combination licenses available with hunting or freshwater fishing?
No.  At present there are no combination licenses that include marine waters fishing.

Do I have to carry my license with me when fishing?
Yes. Like all licenses, the holder must have a valid license in his/her possession.

Does the revenue from this license go back to my sport?
Yes. State and federal law requires that all revenue from hunting and fishing licenses be used exclusively to support fish and wildlife conservation programs.

When did the Marine Waters Fishing License become law?
The bill containing the marine license requirement was signed into law July 1, 2009.  The license requirement became effective the same day.

Where is the demarcation line between the Inland and Marine districts?
See the Demarcation Page or page 46 of the Connecticut Anglers Guide.

A license is required to take fish or bait species. What are bait species?

The list of “bait species” includes several fish species found in the marine district: banded killifish, mummichug, striped killifish, tidewater silverside, Atlantic silverside, sand lance or "sand eels", bay anchovy, sheepshead minnow, and mullet species. Additionally, green crabs, fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, Asian or Japanese shore crab, and several shrimp species are listed as bait species.

Do I need a license to take blue crabs?
No. A license is NOT required to take blue crabs in either the marine or inland district.

Do I need a Marine Waters license to take squid using a squid jig?
No. Squid jigs are not capable of catching fish or bait species, therefore no license is required.

Will there be a grace period to allow fishermen to get a Marine Waters license?
Yes. DEP Environmental Conservation Police will begin checking for licenses immediately; however the DEP recognizes that it will take some time to make all of our state's saltwater anglers aware of the new license requirement and our initial focus will be on public education and outreach.

Is this license required to have fish on my vessel in Connecticut waters if I am just transiting through?
No. For example you may take fish in Rhode Island or New York waters and transit through Connecticut waters to land the fish in Westerly on the Pawcatuck River without a Connecticut license. Note that Connecticut regulations governing minimum size, creel limit and open/closed seasons are possession limits and anglers must be in compliance with those laws whenever they are on the waters this state – even just transiting through - or on any parcel of land, structure, or portion of a roadway abutting tidal waters of this state.  

What is a reciprocal license privilege? (Is there reciprocity with any other states?)
Connecticut law allows  non-resident anglers who hold a marine waters fishing license in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Maine to fish in the marine district and land marine fish in this state without a Connecticut license provided the state issuing the marine license affords the same privilege to resident Connecticut marine license holders.