Saltwater Anglers must get a license

Saltwater anglers must get a license or risk a ticket

SOUTHPORT -- NC

Charlotte Observer

N.C. fisheries authorities are stepping up their enforcement of a law requiring everyone 16 and older to have a saltwater fishing license to fish in coastal waters.


The Star-News of Wilmington reports that the law went into effect in January 2007, and the state just handed out warnings last year. But that grace period ended at the start of 2008, and the N.C. Marine Patrol is enforcing the law, which can involve $35 citations and $120 in court costs.

A spokeswoman for the Marine Fisheries Division says the state issued 364 citations from January to May of this year, compared with 1,056 warnings during the same time last year.
A saltwater fishing license costs $15 for N.C. residents. A combined saltwater and freshwater license costs $35.