Get Answers from the OC Insiders

We have seen several boats cross from Maryland into Delaware and get stopped for not having a Delaware sticker.  Be sure you have the proper sticker or permission slip when fishing.  There seems to be strict enforcement of this.

Colleen is correct.  As long as the boatowner has a license, you don't need a license.  This is also true if you are fishing off a private pier.  You must have a license on any publically owned pier.

We are boaters and fish in the OC bays. You will need a licence for a pleasure boat to fish in the bay in Ocean City.  The cost is $50 and it will cover all on board who are fishing. You can apply online and print a confirmation which is valid to fish until the decal arrives in about two weeks.

Each person who plans to fish must register online. There is no charge to do this.

Here is the best and most comprehensive info about licenses from Sue Foster owner of Oyster Bay Tackle Shop.
http://oysterbaytackle.com/

Maryland Fishing License

Anglers fishing in Ocean City will need to purchase a saltwater fishing
license. This license will cover both the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal
waters and surf of Ocean City and Assateague Island. Yes, this includes surf
fishing. If you already have a Chesapeake Bay Saltwater license you are good
to go!  Anglers will be able to purchase the license online. The
license you want to choose is "Bay and Coastal Sport"  You can either choose
a year-round or 7-day.  The online site will add on a small convenience fee.
The state has set the tackle stores up with paper licenses so we can do your
licenses in our stores.
If you know you are coming to Ocean City,and you want to get it done ahead
of time you can
also call a toll free number (1-800-918-2870)
or print and mail in an  application.  Boat
Licenses: $50 and everyone on your boat can go
fishing without a license. You will get a personal license along with your
boat license, so you can go shore fishing as well. They will send you your
sticker for your boat in the mail.  If you come to our stores, we have the
stickers.

Mail the application to their main office:

Maryland Dept. of Natural resources
Annapolis Service Center
P.O. Box 1869
1804 West Street, Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401


If you are going to be fishing on a private boat with someone who has a Boat
License, you don't have to buy a license, but you do have to  register online. This
is free but cannot be done over the phone. (The state says it has no money
for a phone line.)  Print out your number and keep an id with
you when you go fishing. You can also download it to your smart phone and
show it to the DNR officer.
It only takes a couple minutes. If you have no printer or smart phone, write
down the authorization number.

Another interesting note about the license is that if you buy a VA license,
it is good in MD, and vice versa. If you are fishing in MD with a VA licence
you do need to register with MD online. Again, this is free. This is so each
state can "try" to figure out "how many" fish are being caught in their own
individual states. (VA Free
Registry)

If you want to go fishing in Ocean City without a license, your choices will
be the "Oceanic Pier" or to go fishing on a party or charter boat.  You can
also go crabbing and clamming in Ocean City without a license. Or you can
fish off your own private dock.

Senior citizens 65 and older. Cost is $5 if you have a MD driver's license
and are a resident of MD,
but if you are a non-resident there is no break. No break for boat licenses
either. $50 resident or non-resident,
plus around $3 for the internet fees.

Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding Maryland's sport fishing license
requirements, you may contact Fisheries Service via e mail:
customerservice@dnr.state.md.us or by calling (410-656-9526).


Following is the fee schedule for 2011:

Senior License (year round) - $5.00
Resident License (year round) - $15.00
Resident License (7-day) - $6.00
Non-resident (year round) - $22.50
Non- resident (7-day) - $12.00
Pleasure Boat Decal (covers everyone on boat - year round) - $50.00
Commercial Fishing Pier License (year round) - $290.00

No license is required for:
Boat decal passengers
Those fishing in "free fishing" areas
Those fishing from their waterfront properties
Anglers under 16 years old
Anglers fishing on a licensed charter, party or guide boat
Anglers fishing commercially under a valid license

For more information, log onto www.dnr.state.md.us

As you said, the information is very confusing. The best summary I could find was here: http://dnr.maryland.gov/service/fishing_license.asp#DINAL

Fortunately, Colleen H., one of the other Insiders is a boater and knows all kinds of useful things related to boating and fishing around OCMD!