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License and Registration, Please!

Stephanie Vatalaro

4/7/2011

Do you feel that? The tingling in your spine, the beating of your heart, the magic in the air? That’s the start of fishing season, and it’s RAPIDLY approaching!

Let’s be honest, we’ve all done it: woken up one beautiful morning in late April or early May and said “It’s a great day to get out on the water!” We make breakfast, gather our gear, load the car, hitch up the boat and finally remember. . . we haven’t gotten our fishing license yet! So this year, avoid the scramble – make sure to get licenses for you and your family early!

In most states, obtaining a license is just a mouse-click away. You can easily find a link to your states’ online license center, as well as more information on how and where to obtain your license right on TakeMeFishing.org. Simply choose your state and you’ll be directed to all the information you could possibly need on how and where to get your fishing season started.

And if you live or are planning on going fishing in Michigan this spring or summer, securing a license has never been easier. Simply visit mobileapps.michigan.gov on your smartphone and click on the “24 Hour Fishing License” tab. You’ll instantly have the capability of downloading a 1-day fishing license that includes ALL species privileges for only $7.

Boat owners! Don’t forget to register your new boat (or renew last year’s registration) either. Both boating registrations and fishing license fees go toward preserving our nation’s waterways, so with the simple act of staying “legal” on the water, you’re doing your part to help conservation efforts.

Fishing License, Boat Registration

Stephanie Vatalaro

Stephanie Vatalaro is vice president of communications for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and its Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar campaigns where she works to recruit newcomers to recreational fishing and boating and increase awareness of aquatic conservation. Stephanie grew up in the Florida Keys as the daughter of a flats fishing guide. Outside of work, you can find her fishing and boating with her family on the Potomac River in the Northern Neck of Virginia.

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