Fishing licenses in coastal areas and in US inland waterways have become a bureaucratic nightmare. Here is a short extract from "The Cruising Guide to the Hudson River" that covers the relevant laws for New York State. Other states have similar laws which vary in the details. Over zealous enforcement of these laws by local sheriffs and waterway police is a constant complaint of boaters. One ticket would erase all the savings in food costs that fishing would provide. In addition, there is enough pollution, PCBs, and heavy metal residues in the waters of many US rivers that the U. S. Dept. of Health has placed temporary restrictions on the consumption of certain fish and shellfish. In the Hudson River, for example, the state DEC has suggested that striped bass, American eel and shellfish should not be eaten at all. Eat no more than one serving of bluefish per month. Eat no more than six blue crabs per week. Pregnant women should avoid river fish entirely. Additional information is available from the Fishing Regulations Guides issued by various states. These restrictions are not likely to be lifted for several more years. - - - - - - The Federal government, under the Stevens-Magnuson Act, mandated that, beginning in 2010, all anglers fishing coastal waters must register with Federal or State authorities so that they could subsequently survey marine anglers and develop better estimates of recreational catch and harvest. Aiming to keep license fees in New York to fund state conservation programs, New York lawmakers approved a new state recreational fishing license covering the Coastal District. Persons 16 years of age and older need to acquire a recreational marine fishing license if they are: 1) fishing in the Marine and Coastal District or, 2) fishing any water such as the Hudson River, Delaware River, or Mohawk River and their tributaries where the angler is fishing for "migratory fish from the sea (such as striped bass, American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring, alewife). The Marine and Coastal District includes all the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles from the coast and all other tidal waters within the state, including the Hudson River, up to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Recreational marine fishing licenses will be offered for sale as part of DEC's automated licensing system (DECALS) and will be available at all locations where hunting and fishing licenses are offered (most town clerks; many bait and tackle shops; sporting goods stores; DEC regional offices in Albany, Allegheny, Buffalo, Ray Brook, Stony Brook, and Watertown). You can also purchase your licenses via telephone 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257) or online by visiting the DEC Internet Sporting License Sales page. Because there is no longer an exemption to the requirement for a license to take fish from the Hudson River south of the Troy Barrier Dam at Troy, anglers will need to have a fishing license when fishing the Hudson River. Depending on the specific location of the Hudson River fishing activities, and the specific species fished for, an angler may need to have a recreational marine fishing license, a freshwater fishing license, or both licenses. If you are fishing downstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge, you are considered fishing in the marine and coastal district and do not need to have a NYS recreational marine fishing license. If you are fishing upstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge and are fishing for non-migratory fish (such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, walleye, and perch), you will need to have a freshwater fishing license. If you are fishing upstream from the Tappan Zee Bridge and are fishing for "migratory fish from the sea" (such as striped bass, American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring, or alewife), you need to acquire a recreational marine fishing license in addition to a freshwater fishing license. Some fish, such as sturgeon, are protected and it is prohibited to take them at all. - - - - - - I have been assured that these complicated rules will be sorted out by the 2012 boating season but I wouldn't count on it. Unless you are a dedicated angler, it is advisable to forgo fishing on a Loop cruise and satisfy your craving for a fish dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants along the waterfront. If you must fish, check with the local state DECs for the relevant current regulations. Larry Z