Fishing regulations are governed by the state in which you fish. while this is certainly true in SOME states, not all of them. Best to check the regulations in the state you plan on fishing in to know for sure (or ask someone from that state at least). Often there is a completely DIFFERENT set of rules for out of state vs. in state residents.
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Never forget that the Fish and Game wardens are NOT there to help, warn, guide, or educate should you be seen doing something improper. They are known to actively wait to catch people making the smallest infraction. Several years ago along the Twisp River, I watched a F&G warden waiting in his truck up on the road watching for a fly fisherman to walk past the imaginery line in the river where baits and barbs rules changed. Instead of talking and educating the guy, F&G wrote the guy a ticket. Since I didn't fish back then, I had no idea what was happening at the time but I sure learned a lesson that day.
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Children under the age of 16 do not require a freshwater fishing license in New Hampshire.
In response to the above post, we are very fortunate to have outstanding Conservation Officers in New Hampshire that possess the gift of discernment.
They know whether you are making an honest mistake or are one of the habitual poachers who invariably come to the surface. I have been on a few 'sting' operations with these fine individuals and to say that they are fair and professional would be a gross understatement.
And as someone that got caught fishing without one on the first birthday I was legally required to have a license, and received a ticket and had my poles confiscated, It's better to spend the bucks and get the couple day pass for you.
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In WV all kids 14 and under (resident and non-resident) fish for free.
It is also illegal to be in possession of fishing paraphernalia on or about the waters of the state unless you have a license. So, take care to make sure that your kids handle the fishing equipment.
Personally, I wouldn't write a ticket to someone unless I saw them, at the least, reeling in a line. (former warden) The way I figure it, if you're reeling it in, who's fish is it if one bites?
I watched many fathers/mothers cast for a little one and never bothered them a bit.
I've also seen fathers and mothers use the kids to avoid buying the license. (What are they teaching their kids?) I even wrote a ticket to a non-resident mother on Mother's Day. She was fishing on a recently stocked trout stream with her husband (properly licensed) and two kids. (both of which didn't have or need a license.)
Call me a hard-nosed if you want, but somebody has to pay, and the non-hunters and non-anglers sure as heck aren't forking over the dough.
Another option you might try is a private pay lake. We have them here. They might have them where you are camping. They are not considered state waters and you pay the owner to fish. They are usually well-stocked (think fish in a barrel) but you pay a premium for that. I think they are the best way to introduce a young one to fishing.
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Check each and every state that you plan to fish in. They vary and violations can be very expensive.
If you call, which is probably your best bet, make sure you inform them that you are a non-resident. For example, last time I fished in Wyoming, a resident youth didn't need a license nor be acompanied by anybody with a license. But a non-resident youth MUST be with a licensed adult (and any fish caught go against the licenced adult's take) or have their own license (where they would have their own take).
Be very careful and mind the regulations. Breaking the regulations, even for one fish, is poaching.
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Another option you might try is a private pay lake. We have them here. They might have them where you are camping. They are not considered state waters and you pay the owner to fish. They are usually well-stocked (think fish in a barrel) but you pay a premium for that. I think they are the best way to introduce a young one to fishing.
I'll be doing just that later this year with my 2 year old. The campground we stay at (Camp Dearborn in Milford, MI) is all private lakes. The bluegill roam the lake in small armies, and won't bite anything but ham or hot dogs. I figure an 8 pack of ball park Franks and a baggie of barb-less hooks should be good for several days of entertainment!
Nonresidents
All nonresidents age 16 and older are required to have an appropriate fishing license while angling. Nonresidents under age 16 do not need a license if
the parent or guardian is licensed. Children of an adult who has a Minnesota
nonresident family license may possess their own limit of fish. However, if the
adult has an individual license, the child’s fish are included in the adult’s limit.
Nonresidents under age 16 may purchase a nonresident youth license and possess their own limit of fish.
In this state license-exempt fishing for youngsters is qualified by their state of residence, i.e. any non-resident under 14, residents of 20 listed states under 16.
We have a number of other license exemptions, mostly for residents in particular categories but none of these include adults accompanying exempt children, as a general case.
What constitutes fishing isn't clearly defined. Possession of fish is evidence that you've been fishing. Handling equipment doesn't always come into play, because it is legal to fish with our bare hands, if we have a license. But baiting hooks, casting, holding equipment, handling the fish, are all fishing, requiring a license unless you are exempt.
The other state I've become familiar with, Texas, has had specific "take a child fishing" circumstances (dates and places) where am accompanying adult is exempt from a license requirement. A couple of years ago that was general policy in the state parks, but that changes from time to time.
How times have changed. I grew up in the 60s and early 70s. My parents rented a camp for 2 weeks every summer on Crescent Lake in Casco, ME. The camp came with a row boat. My father bought a Chrysler 5HP outboard for it (with S&H Green Stamps). He would take my younger sister and I fishing (you know - Zebco reel, bobber, hook). His job was to drive the boat and to put worms on our hooks. He'd have a rod of his own....and no fishing license. We all would be fishing - although he never caught anything. Every once in a while a F&G warden would pull aside us and ask my father for his license. There was no hook or fishing line attached to the bottom of his bobber.
He'd reel in his line, present the hook-less bobber and say "Nope. I'm not fishin' - my job is to drive the boat and bait the worms. The wife says I needs to spend quality time with the kids.". The warden would just look at him - as if to say "you're unfrigginbelievable", give him a warning, wish us kids good fishing, and go on his way. My father did this for over 10 years - and was never fined.
These days it's all about generating revenue for the state.
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