Ultimate Kayak Fishing: More Thoughts On Marine Fishing Licenses - Ultimate Kayak Fishing

For those of you that are contemplating boycotting the purchase of a marine fishing license on the grounds that "the money goes into the states general fund and isn't used for hunting and fishing" please read the following.

You should purchase the marine license and boycott the fresh water licenses, hunting licenses and tags. You are mostly right in that all hunting and fishing licensing fees (with the exception of marine fisheries sport fishing licensing) are deposited directly to the general fund to be used at the discretion of the state. By state law all marine fisheries licensing fees will be used for "Fish and wildlife conservation programs" (see DEP: Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License: Basic Facts 3rd paragraph from the bottom) These monies do go into the general fund but are earmarked and passed on to Connecticut conservation programs.

A concern that I have as a power boat owner who likes to invite guests on board to enjoy a day of fishing in the salt water. If my guest does not posses the licensing required to legally fish am I subject to fines, license revocation or worse, confiscation of my gear including my boat? To protect myself I may have to embarrass myself when guests board and ask them for their licenses.