SALTWATER LICENSE--

[tomc]

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
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[gdn443]

[url "http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm801BNUS"][/url]We knew it was coming. I was hopeing for next year. Our state nevers moves fast on anything, but going up on fees and licenses. Still waiting on the new gas vent from Lund before I go salt again.





[url "http://www.smileycentral.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb112_ZNxdm801BNUS&utm_id=7920"][/url]
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[tomc]

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: [url "http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp"]Connecticut General Assembly - Street Number, Street Name and Town*[/url]


[url "http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5875&which_year=2009&SUBMIT1.x=5&SUBMIT1.y=8"]Bill Status*[/url]

[font "Book Antiqua"]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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"](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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"]©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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"](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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"](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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"](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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"]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. [/font]
[font "Book Antiqua"](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. [/font]
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[tomc]

bill passed,just waiting on the her signature

[url "http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/VOTE/S/2009SV-00533-R00HB05875-SV.htm"]http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/VOTE/S/20...HB05875-SV.htm[/url]
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[gdn443]

Now we get to see how they will get it done in a week. []
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[tomc]

i know it,they should push it back a month.it isnt even on the dep website yet
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[tomc]

Saltwater licenses are now available By Tim Coleman Published on 6/5/2009
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
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[tomc]

Fishing registry the right choice

Connecticut Post Staff
Updated: 06/10/2009 05:11:21 PM EDT




Saltwater fishermen say they're unhappy with a national registry set to go into effect next year. Their complaints are valid, but misguided. Starting in 2010, federal law requires all saltwater fishermen in the U.S. to be registered, whether they fish from a boat or from shore. In most states, the registration includes an annual fee of $10 to $25.
At the close of the state Assembly's regular session, Connecticut lawmakers approved a state registry, approving a bill that charges $10 to $15 for saltwater fishing licenses.
Experts say it's a necessary step because no one knows how many saltwater fishermen are out there or what they're catching. They do know that many popular saltwater fish have seen huge depletions in population. This is a way to gather information to protect against overfishing.
The federal law is in place. The state statute simply means that Connecticut will run the registry and accept the proceeds, rather than Washington. The money will help pay for administrative costs and services, such as public land acquisition for fishing.
Estimates as to the number of recreational fishermen in this country run from about 15 million to 25 million, accounting for about 250 million pounds of fish per year. That's a lot of fish, but it's almost trivial compared to the 9.4 billion pounds commercial fishermen catch. However, recreational fishermen grab enough popular Northeastern species, including striped bass and bluefish, to endanger their
populations.
The only way to keep track today is a phone survey that reaches a fisherman on one out of about 20 calls, officials say. Better, more accurate numbers will mean better protection for endangered fish populations, along with more money to purchase public land.
It's a long-accepted fact that hunters and freshwater fisherman need to register and pay a fee to go about their business. Something about the vastness of the ocean has apparently led people to think saltwater ought to operate under different rules, but it's all of a piece.
It's a nominal fee, and it serves a legitimate public purpose. It's an example of the state getting something right.
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[tomc]

The Bite Is on—Connecticut Anglers Hooked by a Saltwater Fishing License
Posted by [url "http://zip06.theday.com/members/Shore-Publishing.aspx"]Shore Publishing[/url] on Jun 10 2009, 03:02 PM
Filed under: [url "http://zip06.theday.com/blogs/the_sound/archive/tags/captain+morgan/default.aspx"]captain morgan[/url], [url "http://zip06.theday.com/blogs/the_sound/archive/tags/fishing/default.aspx"]fishing[/url]
With plenty of warning but no notice to anglers, the governor signed the bill creating a Marine Fishing License on June 3—effective June 15. All anglers fishing in Long Island Sound (shore or private vessel) and up to the first road bridge spanning any tidal river will be required to have one. Literally, within minutes of the signing, new licenses were being sold to stunned anglers just informed of the news.

Anglers shopping for gear at Captain Morgan’s when the call came figured it best to jump on board rather than rushing around at the last minute. Emotions ranged from supportive to shock to “expletive deleted.” Most felt that a marine fishing license was inevitable, but also thought if passed there would be a phasing in period. The haste by which anglers are required to comply was a principal objection.

There is reciprocity built into legislation with adjoining states. To date, New York’s becomes effective Oct. 1 and will recognize Connecticut Marine Fishing Licenses, but only within the borders of Long Island Sound (LIS). New Hampshire has passed one also, but Rhode Island and Massachusetts have yet to act. Individuals under 16 are exempt as are anglers aboard Connecticut-registered party/charter boats. Residents 65 and over are entitled to a free license.

Be advised, there’s an “or” built into the law. Prior to this legislation, it was generally accepted that where an angler fished, i.e. inland or marine districts, not what he or she caught, determined the need for a license. The first road bridge from LIS is considered the line of demarcation. For example, Route One and I-95 or railroad bridges are not considered.

The “or” states that any angler “landing marine fish in Connecticut regardless of where taken” now needs a marine fishing license. In short, those fishing in the upper Thames, Connecticut River, or Housey and including all of the minor tidal rivers now need a marine fishing license as well as a freshwater one!

Captain Morgan’s has been selling the new marine fishing license since June 3 when it was signed into law. The last day one can fish Connecticut marine waters or catch marine fish without this license is Sunday, June 14, Flag Day—how appropriate!

How will this affect the Connecticut fishing industry? Probably not much, considering most coastal states in the country have required marine licenses for years and fishing remains strong. Although mandated by statute, hopefully the funds collected from license sales will find their way back into conservation and not jeopardize any federal funding linked to our state. That would cause concern and would most likely have a negative impact.


On the Water

An east/northeast blow greeted anglers as the fishing weekend approached but eased off just in time. Stiff winds and choppy seas hindered bait gathering and just about drained the tidal rivers as tides affected by the full moon peaked. A new hatch of sealife, however, was flushed downriver where mainly striped bass staged to feed.

As seas calmed and winds reduced to breezes shifting more westerly, anglers hit the reefs and shoals. Offshore structure creating rip lines produced linesiders in excess of 40 pounds while certain harbors acted as magnets for similarly heavy “cows.” Many anglers that fished from shore scored on plugs and soft plastics while on the reefs it was mainly eels and menhaden. Talk seemed to center more around Connecticut’s new marine fishing license than on the catch of the day.

There was steady action throughout with many light tackle and fly rodders enjoying multiple catches. Bluefish in the low- to mid-teens with broad shoulders and substantial girths began shearing lines and offering good mid-day fishing. Along with stripers, the blues worked Six Mile, Inner/Outer Southwest, Kimberly, Faulkner’s Island, Goose, and into the Beacon and New Haven Harbor.

Scup turned on briefly with catches of small- to medium-size fish around Kimberly, Faulkner’s, and Charles. In deeper water, several anglers ran into thick schools of spiny dogfish interrupting their deep-water reef fishing.

Although more anglers are shifting gears from fresh to saltwater, rivers, lakes, and ponds are being fished hard. Largemouth/smallmouth bass are biting, pike are easing but still being caught, panfish are plentiful, and trout are being trolled for in the deeper water—dries and small streamers in the streams. Try the early morning and late evening for a good topwater bass bite!

Note: Still having a hard time obtaining a sportsman license? Captain Morgan’s continues to issue all 2009 fishing, hunting, trapping licenses/permits (rifle, shotgun, archery, muzzle loader, HIP, Connecticut duck stamps, etc.) including shellfish licenses for Guilford and Madison, and now Connecticut’s new salt-water license.

Whenever and wherever fishing, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies, and licenses/permits. Swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...

Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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[gdn443]

Picked mine up yesterday at the town hall and they print out a new combo license for you. [url "http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm801BNUS"]





[/url][url "http://www.smileycentral.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb098_ZNxdm801BNUS&utm_id=7926"][/url]
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[tomc]

lol,you got it before they shut it down.they sold 30,000 dollars worth and the bill hasnt been signed yet
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[gdn443]

I heard they would refund us if it doesn't pass. Better to have and not be caught, then don't and get stopped by the DEP. Thats my luck. In VT they stopped us on the water and state pd at the ramp checking registrations.
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[tomc]

Anglers angered over proposed licenses


Posted on 06/14/2009

NORWALK

By CHASE WRIGHT

Hour Staff Writer


Rick Mola was in the middle of issuing yet another fishing license for a local saltwater angler when he got an urgent letter from the state Department of Environmental Protection telling him to stop.

Mola, owner of Fisherman's World -- a bait-and-tackle shop off Liberty Square -- said he issued a total of 132 marine licenses before Gov. M. Jodi Rell ordered the process halted Friday afternoon.

"We have every reason to believe that this Bill will be signed into law by the governor" and the process will go into full effect at that time, the notice read.

A new bill, which lawmakers passed June 2, would make it mandatory for Connecticut anglers to purchase a $10 saltwater fishing license. Non-residents would pay $15 for the license.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, more than a dozen fishing enthusiasts packed the pier at Calf Pasture Beach to cast off lines into Long Island Sound.

A Norwalk resident for three years, Jon (last name not given) carried a 10-foot pole and a tackle box full of tools as he left the pier Sunday. He said he had heard from a friend that the bill had been repealed and was relieved because the proposed fee "would be just another burden on Connecticut fishermen."

Coastal access is limited as it is and anglers are already faced with hefty fees for non-resident parking, travel, bait and equipment, he said.

"Now they want me to buy a saltwater license too -- it's a bit much," he said.

Other anglers fishing off Norwalk docks said they wouldn't pay for a license even if Rell's approval made it mandatory.

"It's become a $200 expense to go fishing for the day," said Fred Allock.

The Danbury resident explained his grievances over high fishing fees and all the stringent requirements as he baited a 50-cent sand worm to his hook.

"Bait alone is expensive. I pay $6 a dozen for these sand worms," said Allock.

A long-time angler, Jon Sundstrum, said that over the years, his favorite pastime has faced new costs and requirements, which have changed it for the worse.

He blamed the commercial ships that sweep the sea of fish, and the stringent recreational fishing rules for pulling him out of Connecticut's waters.

"I came to Connecticut in 1970. Back then, this place would have been filled with flounder," said Sundstrum, of the pier off Calf Pasture.

He said the issue isn't the cost of the saltwater license. "You could charge $50 for a license and people would pay it, but only if there were fish to catch."

Sundstrum has since moved to Virginia and was only at Calf Pasture Sunday to help teach his four-year-old grandson Ian how to reel in a big one.

But there were no bites.

"I told him -- we're not catching anything here," said Sundstrum, as he watched his son-in-law sling a line through the air. "He'll have to come to Virginia to catch his first fish."
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