The Maine Outdoors

Maine’s history is deeply rooted in the outdoors. Our wildlife and fishing opportunities are what brought the first settlers to our state. Maine has abundant hunting and inland fishing opportunities and the Maine lobster is renowned world-wide.

Maine is home to the tenth most visited national park, Acadia National Park, and we have over 30 state parks designed for your outdoor enjoyment. The state park program generates over $100 million in revenue each and every year.

As legislators, it is our duty to strike a balance between preserving our Maine way of life and the rights of our citizens to hunt and fish like generations before them have done, while at the same time, taking steps to ensure that there will be an abundant supply for the generations that follow.

Who needs a fishing license?
A person is required to obtain a valid fishing license prior to fishing in inland waters or transporting fish taken from inland waters. A person is required to keep his/her fishing license with him/her at all times while fishing or transporting fish and must exhibit their license for inspection by any warden, department employee, guide or landowner upon request.

Possession of fishing tackle in the fields or forest or on the waters or ice of this State without a fishing license is prima facie evidence of fishing in violation of the law.
When obtaining a resident license, it is the responsibility of the applicant to submit proof of residency.

Maine residents under 16 years or age and nonresidents under 12 years of age may fish without a license.

Maine residents (and immediate family members who live with that person ) may fish without a license from their own land if that person owns more than 10 acres of land, lives on that particular piece of land, and the land is used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

In-patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Togus may fish without a license within 25 miles of Togus (Note: Patients not under immediate supervision of a hospital representative must have a valid hospital pass while fishing.)

Who needs a hunting license?
Anyone 10 years of age and over must obtain a license to hunt wild birds or wild animals (except Maine resident landowners may hunt without a license on land they own and reside on provided the land exceeds 10 acres in size and is used exclusively for agricultural purposes).

Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to hunt.

Hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 must possess a junior license.

Hunters 16 years of age and over must possess an adult license to hunt (NOTE: A Junior License holder who turns 16 may hunt with that Junior License for the remainder of the year, but must complete a hunter safety course prior to hunting without adult supervision).

Hunters 16 years of age and over wishing to hunt with bow and arrow during the Special or Expanded Archery Seasons must obtain and archery license and the appropriate expanded archery permits.

To obtain an adult hunting license, you must show proof of having previously held an adult license to hunt with firearms in any year beginning with 1976 or successful completion of an approved hunter safety course.

Convicted felons cannot purchase or possess a firearms hunting license or a Specialized Hunting Guide License (Title 15, sub§393, sub-§§ 1 & 2) unless they have a permit to carry a firearm which may be obtained from the Department of Public Safety - Telephone (207) 624-7210.

It is unlawful to obtain any license or permit through misstatement or misrepresentation or to possess any license or permit which has been altered, mutilated or tampered with in any manner.

For license fees, to obtain a license, or for more information regarding hunting and fishing laws, please visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Web site.

Saltwater fishing in Maine
Saltwater fishing in Maine is regulated by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The Department was established to conserve and develop marine and estuarine resources; to conduct and sponsor scientific research; to promote and develop the Maine coastal fishing industries; to advise and cooperate with local, state, and federal officials concerning activities in coastal waters; and to implement, administer, and enforce the laws and regulations necessary for these purposes.

For information about where to fish, what you’ve caught and whether it’s safe to eat, fishing tournaments, tide charts, regulations, and much more, please visit the Department’s web site.

State Parks
Designed to harmonize with mountain, lake, and seashore, Maine's state park system is as varied as the state's landscape. Mountain trails, lakeside picnic tables, ocean beaches. In Maine, there are more than 30 state parks dedicated to the visitor's enjoyment; you'll find the people who manage them friendly and helpful. To plan your adventure, visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands search page.

Twelve state parks and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway provide camping opportunities. Make your camping reservation (click here) plans today where a number of campsites at these parks (except for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway) are available. In addition to camping, state parks also offer a range of day use activities, from ocean swimming to wilderness hiking. Some parks have group use areas that require reservations.

For a complete list of rules for state parks and historic sites, please click here.

As a way of saying thank you to our military veterans, the state is extending to them free day passes to state parks. This small token is our way of showing our appreciation for the commitment the men and women of the armed forces have made to protecting our freedom. Veterans should contact the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management and ask how they can obtain a state park pass for this summer. The number is 626-4464.

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The Maine Outdoors

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