Does everyone on board a recreational fishing boat need a license?
No. Anyone onboard that is not fishing does not need a fishing license – even if they are on a vessel which has people fishing. However, you should not be surprised if an officer asks a few questions to ensure the people who are fishing are in fact properly licensed. The officer may have more questions should there, for instance, be more fishing lines in the water than there are licensed (or legally exempt) anglers. Also remember you may only keep the daily bag limit (of species with bag limits) for those persons with a current license (or who are legally exempt). Also non-anglers should not in any way help with fishing, such as attaching lures, netting fish or removing fish from the hooks. What does a senior license certificate cover and where do I get it? A resident permanent senior license for those 65 years old and older, authorizes the holder to take or attempt to take or possess freshwater fish and game consistent with state and federal regulations and the rules of the Commission
