If you’re an angler in Massachusetts, you might be wondering if your fishing license is valid in other states. The good news is that Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with several neighboring states, allowing you to fish in their waters with your MA license. However, it’s important to understand the specific details of these agreements and any additional requirements or restrictions that may apply.
Massachusetts Fishing License Reciprocity in 2024
As of 2024, Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
New Hampshire: MA to NH and NH to MA
Rhode Island: MA to RI and RI to MA
Connecticut: MA to CT and CT to MA
Maine: MA to ME only
These agreements allow MA recreational saltwater permit holders to fish in the marine waters of NH, RI, CT, and ME. However, it’s important to note that the reciprocity only applies to the marine waters of these states and not to any inland or freshwater fisheries.
To take advantage of the reciprocity, you must have a valid MA recreational saltwater fishing permit. The permit costs $10 for anglers under 60 and is free for anglers 60 and over, although you still need to obtain the permit.
Additional Requirements and Restrictions
While the reciprocity agreements allow you to fish in the marine waters of the participating states, there are still some additional requirements and restrictions to keep in mind:
You must follow the regulations and size/bag limits of the state you are fishing in, not Massachusetts
Some states may have additional permit requirements for certain species or fishing methods (e.g., a separate permit for fishing on for-hire vessels)
The reciprocity may not apply to all marine waters within a state (e.g., in Maine, the reciprocity only applies to the marine waters of the state and not to any inland waters)
It’s always a good idea to check with the specific state’s fish and wildlife department before you go fishing to make sure you have the correct permits and are aware of any special regulations or restrictions.
Fishing in Other New England States
If you hold a fishing license from a state other than Massachusetts, you may still be able to fish in Massachusetts waters with your home state license, depending on the reciprocity agreements between the states:
New Hampshire: NH to MA reciprocity
Rhode Island: RI to MA reciprocity
Connecticut: CT to MA reciprocity
Maine: No reciprocity from ME to MA
Again, it’s important to check with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries for the most up-to-date information on reciprocity agreements and any additional requirements or restrictions that may apply.
Fishing in Federal Waters
If you plan to fish in federal waters (beyond state boundaries), you may need additional permits or registrations. With a valid MA recreational saltwater fishing permit, you will be exempt from the federal registry requirement. However, if you intend to take tunas, sharks, swordfish, or billfish in federal waters, you must also have the appropriate federal Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit.
It’s important to note that the reciprocity agreements and additional requirements can change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check with the relevant state and federal agencies before you go fishing to ensure you have the correct permits and are aware of any special regulations or restrictions.