I came in late to the discussion of fishing llicenses. Here is an excerpt on the topic from the "Hudson River Guide." While it is specific only to New York State waters, similar regulations might apply to every state along the Atlantic seaboard. Check with local fish and game stores or places where fishing licenses are sold. "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 rather than sending the money to Washington, D.C., 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 ands 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. Since 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 will need to have a 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. All in all, unless you are a dedicated angler, it is advisable to forgo fishing on a Hudson River cruise and satisfy your craving for a fish meal at one of the many excellent restaurants along the waterfront." Larry Z