Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12455, first ¶, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

Rules adopted by the commissioner that set forth the special fishing regulations for inland waters of the State must include a list of waters where a person under 12 16 years of age may fish with a single-baited hook and line.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12501, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

B. A nonresident fishing license to a nonresident 12 16 years of age or older.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §12501, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is repealed.

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §12501, sub-§6, ¶B, as amended by PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. III, §24, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §12503, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by c. 614, §9, is amended to read:

1. Resident or nonresident under 16. A resident or nonresident under 16 years of age and a nonresident under 12 years of age may fish without a license.

SUMMARY

This bill makes the age requirement for young anglers the same for nonresidents and residents: no license is required for an angler under 16 years of age. This bill conforms with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's efforts to make rules for fishing consistent.