SALTWATER LICENSE-- It looks inevitable and soon, its not a tax just a fee. A bill has passed the State House and was in the State Senate to institute a saltwater license effective June 15th, 2009. Its worded so that it appears that the money is going towards the fishery but it will wind up in the General Fund, there will be no net increase in the amount of moneys going to support fisheries. The cost will be $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, an introductory offer just like cable tv. Of course the infrastructure to make licenses readily available doesn't exist, it will be another fiasco like the past opening day for trout.
From RiversEnd Tackle
From RiversEnd Tackle
Saltwater fishing license will be a reality soon
By Charles Walsh
Correspondent
Posted: 05/31/2009 01:58:15 AM EDT
It is all over but the paying. Break out the wallet, you fishermen of striper, bluefish, porgy, flounder, fluke, sea bass, blackfish and other marine species. The Connecticut saltwater fishing license is in like Flynn.
House Bill 5857, which, among other things, includes a recreational marine fishing license, passed the state House of Representatives recently and is now before the state Senate, where its passage is about as certain as tomorrow's sunrise.
It is possible the measure will fail, but with the state finances in the tank, the idea of some nice, juicy fees from saltwater anglers will get a warm welcome in the Senate and in the governor's office. The chance of Gov. M. (for "More fees, please") Jodi Rell vetoing the bill is about as likely as Madonna becoming a nun.
When the bill passes and is signed by Rell, the license requirement will go into effect on June 15. Anyone caught fishing in Connecticut waters off Long Island Sound without a Department of Environmental Protection issued license will be subject to a steep fine. (There are a couple of exemptions, including customers on party boats.)
The cost of the license will be $10 for state residents, $15 for non-residents. Anglers over 65 are entitled to a free saltwater license. The licenses will be available at shops that currently sell freshwater and combo licenses and through the DEP's on-line system. The saltwater license will be sold separately from freshwater and combo licenses,
but DEP spokesman Dennis Shain says the department hopes to include it with other combination licenses in the near future. You can expect the fees to rises when those adjustments are made.
At the moment, the bill as written calls for all the funds derived from the saltwater license to go into the dedicated Environmental Conservation Fund. But don't take that to the fishery bank. Eventually the state intends to fund the entire DEP out of the General Fund rather than the current method of giving the department a separate budget. If this happens, and most observers think it is a shoo-in, the saltwater license fees will be relegated to that dreaded General Fund. This will make the DEP happy because it will have greater flexibility in its finances. Whether it is good for anglers remains to be seen.
Shain said that funding the DEP out of the General Fund is "really for the best." The bill calls for seeking reciprocity agreements with neighboring states. If successful, reciprocity would mean a Connecticut saltwater license will be good for fishing in New York (which recently passed a license bill), Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire marine waters.
In addition to the saltwater license, bill 5857, officially entitled "An Act Authorizing Special Districts to Maintain Water Quality in Lakes," has a variety of other measures attached to it. These include a measure prohibiting the DEP commissioner from reducing the amount of state land available for hunting and removing the possibility that a person caught taking shellfish from Westport's Saugatuck Shores area could be sent to prison.
Action on the Connecticut saltwater license was spurred by the federal government's threat to initiate a national saltwater license system if states do not do it on their own. The ostensible reason given was the need for greater accuracy in the numbers of fish killed by recreational anglers.
Short casts FISH ON THE MOVE -- With sand eels at last invading Long Island Sound and herring starting to move back down the rivers, anglers are enjoying some great bass and bluefish fishing. Joe Palmer weighed in a 31-pound bass at Jimmy O's in Black Rock. The fish was taken at the BH buoy off Bridgeport. Michael and Jim Micinlio trolled tubes and worms in and around Fairfield and Black Rock last weekend and counted a 33-inch bass among their catches, which were weighed in at Westport Outfitter in the Saugatuck section of that town. Pierre Champaine, fishing with Stratford's John Valentino, pulled in a 26-pound-plus bass on Sunday, topping Valentino's best fish, which was 26 even. -- CHARLES WALSH
By Charles Walsh
Correspondent
Posted: 05/31/2009 01:58:15 AM EDT
It is all over but the paying. Break out the wallet, you fishermen of striper, bluefish, porgy, flounder, fluke, sea bass, blackfish and other marine species. The Connecticut saltwater fishing license is in like Flynn.
House Bill 5857, which, among other things, includes a recreational marine fishing license, passed the state House of Representatives recently and is now before the state Senate, where its passage is about as certain as tomorrow's sunrise.
It is possible the measure will fail, but with the state finances in the tank, the idea of some nice, juicy fees from saltwater anglers will get a warm welcome in the Senate and in the governor's office. The chance of Gov. M. (for "More fees, please") Jodi Rell vetoing the bill is about as likely as Madonna becoming a nun.
When the bill passes and is signed by Rell, the license requirement will go into effect on June 15. Anyone caught fishing in Connecticut waters off Long Island Sound without a Department of Environmental Protection issued license will be subject to a steep fine. (There are a couple of exemptions, including customers on party boats.)
The cost of the license will be $10 for state residents, $15 for non-residents. Anglers over 65 are entitled to a free saltwater license. The licenses will be available at shops that currently sell freshwater and combo licenses and through the DEP's on-line system. The saltwater license will be sold separately from freshwater and combo licenses,
but DEP spokesman Dennis Shain says the department hopes to include it with other combination licenses in the near future. You can expect the fees to rises when those adjustments are made.
At the moment, the bill as written calls for all the funds derived from the saltwater license to go into the dedicated Environmental Conservation Fund. But don't take that to the fishery bank. Eventually the state intends to fund the entire DEP out of the General Fund rather than the current method of giving the department a separate budget. If this happens, and most observers think it is a shoo-in, the saltwater license fees will be relegated to that dreaded General Fund. This will make the DEP happy because it will have greater flexibility in its finances. Whether it is good for anglers remains to be seen.
Shain said that funding the DEP out of the General Fund is "really for the best." The bill calls for seeking reciprocity agreements with neighboring states. If successful, reciprocity would mean a Connecticut saltwater license will be good for fishing in New York (which recently passed a license bill), Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire marine waters.
In addition to the saltwater license, bill 5857, officially entitled "An Act Authorizing Special Districts to Maintain Water Quality in Lakes," has a variety of other measures attached to it. These include a measure prohibiting the DEP commissioner from reducing the amount of state land available for hunting and removing the possibility that a person caught taking shellfish from Westport's Saugatuck Shores area could be sent to prison.
Action on the Connecticut saltwater license was spurred by the federal government's threat to initiate a national saltwater license system if states do not do it on their own. The ostensible reason given was the need for greater accuracy in the numbers of fish killed by recreational anglers.
Short casts FISH ON THE MOVE -- With sand eels at last invading Long Island Sound and herring starting to move back down the rivers, anglers are enjoying some great bass and bluefish fishing. Joe Palmer weighed in a 31-pound bass at Jimmy O's in Black Rock. The fish was taken at the BH buoy off Bridgeport. Michael and Jim Micinlio trolled tubes and worms in and around Fairfield and Black Rock last weekend and counted a 33-inch bass among their catches, which were weighed in at Westport Outfitter in the Saugatuck section of that town. Pierre Champaine, fishing with Stratford's John Valentino, pulled in a 26-pound-plus bass on Sunday, topping Valentino's best fish, which was 26 even. -- CHARLES WALSH
what's next??? how many ways can they nickle and dime us to death?
Since you ask...how about Obama's proposed federal sales tax.
As far as the license, it is no surprise it was inevitable. When I look at the whole scheme of things, hell that's the cost of cheap plug, plus tax of course
I moved here from Missouri last year and I was shocked when I found out there was no personal property tax on boats. Missouri taxes boat owners every year. I would keep an eye on this one it could be a huge windfall for the treasury dept of ct. Look how many boat owners there are in the state. We are talking 350 a year from all of us.
good point on the cost of a plug aqualung but at least i have a shot at something with the plug !this is just the foot in the door,give them 1 maybe2 years before the price goes up and the regulations get worse .pay by the fish at the dock next ????? ormaybe you can lease a plot in the sound............... 
The House passed bill 5875 and it's in the Senate now. Call your Senator today. You can find your Senator's phone number here: Connecticut General Assembly - Street Number, Street Name and Town*
Bill Status*
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective June 15, 2009) (a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (d), (e) or (f) of this section and other provisions of chapter 490 of the general statutes providing specific license exemption, no person more than sixteen years of age shall take, attempt to take or assist in taking any fish or bait species in the marine district by any method or land marine fish and bait species in the state regardless of where such marine fish or bait species are taken, without first having obtained a marine waters fishing license as provided in section 5 of this act.
(b)No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is rowing a boat or operating the motor of a boat from which other persons are taking or attempting to take fish.
(c)The taking of fish and bait species as herein provided shall be regarded as sport fishing and the taking or landing of such species in the marine district by commercial methods for commercial purposes shall be governed by other provisions of chapter 490 of the general statutes.
(d)No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any resident of the state who is participating in a fishing derby authorized in writing by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection provided (1) no fees are charged for such derby, (2) such derby has a duration of one day or less, and (3) such derby is sponsored by a nonprofit civic service organization. Such organization shall be limited to one derby in any calendar year.
(e) No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is fishing as a passenger on a party boat, charter boat or head boat registered under section 26-142a of the general statutes and operating solely in the marine district.
(f)The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may designate one day in each calendar year when no license shall be required for sport fishing in the marine district.
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective June 15, 2009) (a)Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the fee for a resident marine waters fishing license shall be ten dollars and the fee for a nonresident marine waters fishing license shall be fifteen dollars. Persons sixty-five years of age and over who have been residents of this state for not less than one year may be issued an annual marine waters fishing license without fee. The town clerk shall retain a recording fee of one dollar for each marine waters fishing license issued by him or her.
(b)Any nonresident residing in one of the New England states or the state of New York may procure a marine waters fishing license for the same fee or fees as a resident of this state if he or she is a resident of a state the laws of which allow the same privilege to residents of this state.
Bill Status*
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective June 15, 2009) (a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (d), (e) or (f) of this section and other provisions of chapter 490 of the general statutes providing specific license exemption, no person more than sixteen years of age shall take, attempt to take or assist in taking any fish or bait species in the marine district by any method or land marine fish and bait species in the state regardless of where such marine fish or bait species are taken, without first having obtained a marine waters fishing license as provided in section 5 of this act.
(b)No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is rowing a boat or operating the motor of a boat from which other persons are taking or attempting to take fish.
(c)The taking of fish and bait species as herein provided shall be regarded as sport fishing and the taking or landing of such species in the marine district by commercial methods for commercial purposes shall be governed by other provisions of chapter 490 of the general statutes.
(d)No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any resident of the state who is participating in a fishing derby authorized in writing by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection provided (1) no fees are charged for such derby, (2) such derby has a duration of one day or less, and (3) such derby is sponsored by a nonprofit civic service organization. Such organization shall be limited to one derby in any calendar year.
(e) No marine waters fishing license shall be required for any person who is fishing as a passenger on a party boat, charter boat or head boat registered under section 26-142a of the general statutes and operating solely in the marine district.
(f)The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may designate one day in each calendar year when no license shall be required for sport fishing in the marine district.
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective June 15, 2009) (a)Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the fee for a resident marine waters fishing license shall be ten dollars and the fee for a nonresident marine waters fishing license shall be fifteen dollars. Persons sixty-five years of age and over who have been residents of this state for not less than one year may be issued an annual marine waters fishing license without fee. The town clerk shall retain a recording fee of one dollar for each marine waters fishing license issued by him or her.
(b)Any nonresident residing in one of the New England states or the state of New York may procure a marine waters fishing license for the same fee or fees as a resident of this state if he or she is a resident of a state the laws of which allow the same privilege to residents of this state.
Saltwater licenses are now available
By Tim Coleman Published on 6/5/2009
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Last year fishermen started their season with escalating gas prices. This season they find they will need a license to fish in saltwater in state waters. Here's what we were able to put together from various local sources.
All anglers will need the license by June 15, paying $10 for resident and $15 for non-resident. If that sounds a bit rushed, also consider the bill to approve the license went through the state house, senate and governor's office in one day.
You can obtain the saltwater license at any place now selling freshwater licenses. Such include town halls, some tackle stores or visits Web site at CTDEP.gov., though as of Thursday the web site had only provisions for resident, nothing yet for people that live in other states. Still unanswered at this point is whether other nearby states will honor a Connecticut license if, say, one runs to Montauk from New London?
All anglers hope the monies generated by this move will go to improve fishing but it's highly unlikely that a license will do much to bring back a spring mackerel run to Long Island Sound or improve shore access.
Now, on to the fishing scene
Captain Jack Balint was pleased to report a nice charge of smaller bass on top chasing a mix of squid, small butterfish and sand eels from Wicopesset over to Sugar Reef off Watch Hill. The Mystic River also had bass that will respond to casting tackle as does Race Point, those fish coming to the surface usually at the end or start of the next tide before the current runs hard.
If you fish in the Thames River, please note you need a freshwater license to fish above the 95 Bridge and now a saltwater license to legally fish south of the span.
Allen Fee at Shaffers Marina told me Scott Trainor from Massachusetts had a great day on Wednesday catching stripers on spinning tackle in Lord's Passage. Others found smaller bass on top at the south end of Mason's Island, a perfect spot at times for those with smaller boats. Shore fishermen are catching a small number of large porgies from the Cottrell Street dock or schoolie stripers from the Mason's Island Causeway.
Red at Bob's Rod & Tackle reported some larger blues in the Thames River, chasing around bunkers with bass from the 95 Bridge up to the Sub Base. A few porgies were caught from the rockpiles just outside the Thames River but the opening of fluke season in state waters is still a few weeks away.
”Holding up” was how Captain Howard Beers at Hillyers Tackle described the striper catches in The Race. Hammered or red and white diamond jigs were very popular and effective. Besides the bass, one boat landed 18 blues in a tide, but overall the blues are now around yet any where close to summer numbers.
Captain Kerry Douton at J&B said the offshore boats should make their first trips this weekend looking for sharks off Montauk. Their charter boats are catching well in The Race and also trolling up stripers at Black Point and Inner Bartletts.
Pat Abate at River's End in Old Saybrook called the striper fishing in the lower Connecticut River from Essex to the flats off Great Island just fair and inconsistent. There is a school of fish in the river along with some big blues but they seem to bite selectively said Pat.
You might catch a larger bass at the Sand Shoal after possibly locating some live bunker in the lower river just at first light. Bass catches from the Rhode Island beaches and salt ponds dropped off considerably from a week prior. Some locals opted instead for a long drive to successful fishing in the Cape Cod Canal or Pleasant Bay, fishing up inside the elbow of the Cape.
Tim Coleman is The Day's saltwater fishing columnist. Readers may e-mail him at thewreckhunter@aol.com
By Tim Coleman Published on 6/5/2009
Print This Send Correction
Last year fishermen started their season with escalating gas prices. This season they find they will need a license to fish in saltwater in state waters. Here's what we were able to put together from various local sources.
All anglers will need the license by June 15, paying $10 for resident and $15 for non-resident. If that sounds a bit rushed, also consider the bill to approve the license went through the state house, senate and governor's office in one day.
You can obtain the saltwater license at any place now selling freshwater licenses. Such include town halls, some tackle stores or visits Web site at CTDEP.gov., though as of Thursday the web site had only provisions for resident, nothing yet for people that live in other states. Still unanswered at this point is whether other nearby states will honor a Connecticut license if, say, one runs to Montauk from New London?
All anglers hope the monies generated by this move will go to improve fishing but it's highly unlikely that a license will do much to bring back a spring mackerel run to Long Island Sound or improve shore access.
Now, on to the fishing scene
Captain Jack Balint was pleased to report a nice charge of smaller bass on top chasing a mix of squid, small butterfish and sand eels from Wicopesset over to Sugar Reef off Watch Hill. The Mystic River also had bass that will respond to casting tackle as does Race Point, those fish coming to the surface usually at the end or start of the next tide before the current runs hard.
If you fish in the Thames River, please note you need a freshwater license to fish above the 95 Bridge and now a saltwater license to legally fish south of the span.
Allen Fee at Shaffers Marina told me Scott Trainor from Massachusetts had a great day on Wednesday catching stripers on spinning tackle in Lord's Passage. Others found smaller bass on top at the south end of Mason's Island, a perfect spot at times for those with smaller boats. Shore fishermen are catching a small number of large porgies from the Cottrell Street dock or schoolie stripers from the Mason's Island Causeway.
Red at Bob's Rod & Tackle reported some larger blues in the Thames River, chasing around bunkers with bass from the 95 Bridge up to the Sub Base. A few porgies were caught from the rockpiles just outside the Thames River but the opening of fluke season in state waters is still a few weeks away.
”Holding up” was how Captain Howard Beers at Hillyers Tackle described the striper catches in The Race. Hammered or red and white diamond jigs were very popular and effective. Besides the bass, one boat landed 18 blues in a tide, but overall the blues are now around yet any where close to summer numbers.
Captain Kerry Douton at J&B said the offshore boats should make their first trips this weekend looking for sharks off Montauk. Their charter boats are catching well in The Race and also trolling up stripers at Black Point and Inner Bartletts.
Pat Abate at River's End in Old Saybrook called the striper fishing in the lower Connecticut River from Essex to the flats off Great Island just fair and inconsistent. There is a school of fish in the river along with some big blues but they seem to bite selectively said Pat.
You might catch a larger bass at the Sand Shoal after possibly locating some live bunker in the lower river just at first light. Bass catches from the Rhode Island beaches and salt ponds dropped off considerably from a week prior. Some locals opted instead for a long drive to successful fishing in the Cape Cod Canal or Pleasant Bay, fishing up inside the elbow of the Cape.
Tim Coleman is The Day's saltwater fishing columnist. Readers may e-mail him at thewreckhunter@aol.com
Hey Big, Jody Reil said she wouldnt raise taxes but there is a lot of new fees on many goods and services. A FEE IS ANOTHER WORD FOR TAX!!!!!!!!SALTWATER LICENSE-- It looks inevitable and soon, its not a tax just a fee. A bill has passed the State House and was in the State Senate to institute a saltwater license effective June 15th, 2009. Its worded so that it appears that the money is going towards the fishery but it will wind up in the General Fund, there will be no net increase in the amount of moneys going to support fisheries. The cost will be $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, an introductory offer just like cable tv. Of course the infrastructure to make licenses readily available doesn't exist, it will be another fiasco like the past opening day for trout.
From RiversEnd Tackle
