Coastal NH - Marine Resources
NEWS - Click here for Saltwater/Commercial Fishing/Coastal Updates
SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENT
All persons age 16 and older recreationally fishing in coastal and estuarine waters of the state must purchase a N.H. Saltwater Recreational Fishing License. This includes anglers, spearfishers and persons using other gear types who wish to take, possess, or transport marine finfish for personal use and which are not sold. Click here for more info.
 NEW! 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest - hard copies now available at Fish and Game or your local license agent. |
Managing Marine Resources The Marine Fisheries Division of the N.H. Fish and Game Department was established by RSA 211:65. The Division is responsible for the regulation and promotion of both recreational and commercial marine fishing in the salt waters of the state. State waters include all waters within 3 miles of the coastline. The area between 3 and 200 miles of shore is under the jurisdiction of the Federal government. The Division conducts scientific investigations to monitor marine resources and habitat as well as the harvest of fishery resources within state waters. We also work with other states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, as well as the New England Fisheries Management Council, to manage marine species throughout their range. Marine Species in New Hampshire Waters within 3 miles of New Hampshire's coast provide essential habitat for many species. Organisms that use inshore and estuarine waters for spawning and nursery habitat include smelt, American shad, blueback herring, alewives and winter flounder. Coastal migratory fish such as striped bass, mackerel and bluefish frequent New Hampshire waters to feed on the abundant forage species. Shellfish common to inshore waters include oysters, softshell clams and blue mussels. Other important commercially and recreationally harvested species found in New Hampshire include Atlantic cod, haddock, pollock and lobsters. We also have marine mammals such as harbor seals and various whale species. |
Click here to buy your NH Recreational Saltwater license online! ($11)
Recreational Saltwater Fishing
N.H. Saltwater Recreational Fishing License
Coastal boating & shore fishing access sites
Maineharbors.com Coastal webcams
Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) [formerly Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistic Survey (MRFSS)] - How does Fish and Game monitor the effort and success of our coastal anglers? Click here to find out.
Saltwater fish consumption guidelines for N.H.
Shoreline Striped Bass Hot Spots
Shellfishing
- Shellfishing maps
- How to dig - The proper clam digging technique will help protect and improve our clam stocks!
- How to improve oyster beds; oyster drill identification
- All about NH shellfishing: Mad for Molluscs
- A shellfishing license is required to harvest clams or oysters; NH residents only. Resident Softshell Clam and Resident Oyster licenses are available to purchase online - click here and select "Fishing/Hunting licenses")
Places to visit:
- NH Fish and Game's Great Bay Discovery Center (Greenland)
- NH State Parks - Seacoast region
- Seacoast Science Center (Rye)
- Seabrook's Science and Nature Center
Commercial Saltwater Fishing:
- NH Lobster Reporting Programs - Licensed lobster harvesters and dealers, click here for required reporting information.
- Click here to download the Lobster Trap Tag Order Form
- NH Coastal Harvest Reporting Program
For questions about Coastal Harvest reporting requirements or reporting forms, contact the Marine Fisheries Division at (603) 868-1095 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. - Atlantic Coast Cooperative Statistics Program
The ACCSP is a cooperative state-federal program to design, implement, and conduct marine fisheries statistics data collection programs and to integrate these data into a single data management system that will meet the needs of fishery managers, scientists, and fishermen. - "Weak Links" are required for trap buoys and gillnets to help protect whales from fishing gear entanglements. Click for info:
Marine Permit and License Applications:
Licenses available for online purchase (click on link and select "Fishing/Hunting Licenses"):
- N.H. Saltwater Recreational Fishing License
- Resident Softshell Clam (NH residents only)
- Resident Oyster (NH residents only)
Mail-in license applications: Click on the name of a permit or license to download a print-and-mail copy (PDF* format). Or, request a paper copy by mail: contact the Marine Division at (603) 868-1095 or the Licensing Desk at Fish and Game headquarters at (603) 271-3422 between 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
- Shrimp Processing and Sea Herring Possession Permit
- New Hampshire Coastal/Estuarine Waters Harvest Application/Permit
- Lobster and Crab License and Lobster Helper's License Application
- New Hampshire Commercial Clam License Application
- Commercial Saltwater License Application - Required to take, possess, land, or transport marine species for the purpose to sell. This license is issued to an individual. Lobsters and crabs may not be taken with this license.
- Lobster and Crab Landing License Application - License to transport in state waters and crabs taken outside the jurisdiction of the state via ship, vessel or similar craft. This license is issued to an individual. Does not allow for sale of lobsters and crabs.
- Retail Trade Application for Lobster and Crab - Required to buy, sell, process, ship and transport. Separate license required for each additional market, store, vehicle or other facility.
- New Hampshire Wholesale Marine Species License Application - Required to engage in the wholesale trade of buying, selling, processing and transport of Marine Species. A separate license is required for each additional market, store, vehicle or other facility.
- Application for Saltwater Fishing Vessels - Needed for party and charter boat vessels to provide recreational saltwater fishing opportunities for persons taking finfish from coastal or estuarine waters.
- Application for Lifetime Limited Saltwater License - Persons holding a valid Lifetime Fishing or Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License issued prior to January 1, 2011, may apply for a saltwater license for the following species only: saltwater smelt, saltwater shad and saltwater salmonoids. No charge. Must be applied for each year.
Research/Surveys and Reports:
- Great Bay Management Plan
- Marine Division Project Reports: American Eel; Coastal Harvesters, Juvenile Finfish, Inshore Trawl Survey, Rainbow Smelt, River Herring and American Shad, Sea-Run Brown Trout, Striped Bass Volunteer Angler Survey
- ME/NH Inshore Trawl Survey - Click for letter, maps and information from Fall 2010
- Pilot Industry Based Resource Surveys (from NOAA)
- Industry-based Survey for Gulf of Maine Cod
- Winnicut River Dam Removal Project – The Winnicut River dam is a head-of-tide dam owned by NH Fish and Game with an associated Canadian step-weir fish ladder. Due to dam safety inspections and fish passage issues for anadromous fish, a feasibility study was conducted to determine the best course of action to improve fish passage and general ecological functions of a natural flowing river system. As part of the study, an archaeological survey was completed to identify the cultural and historical significance of the dam and surrounding area.
- Winnicut River Dam project - fact sheet (Oct. 09 - PDF, 3 MB)
- Feasibility Study and appendices (NH DES site)
- New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources Area Form (PDF, 5.9 MB)
- Winnicut River dam removal project – Public Informational Meeting Presentations - LARGE FILE ALERT - slow downloads!
- Diadromous fish, dams, and Winnicut River (PDF, 14.6 MB) – Cheri Patterson, NH Fish and Game
- Removal of Winnicut Dam (PDF, 6.5 MB) – Mike Chelminski, Stantec Inc. Consulting Services (formally Woodlot Alternatives, Inc.)
Articles of interest (PDF downloads):
- American Eels: Restoring a Vanishing Resource in the Gulf of Maine* (courtesy of Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment - www.gulfofmaine.org)
- Extraordinary Eelgrass* (from NH Wildlife Journal)
- Circle Hooks: Reduce catch-and-release mortality*
- Party-boat fishing off the New Hampshire coast (N.H. Wildlife Journal article, July-August 2008)
Marine Fishing Laws and Rules
- New Hampshire Marine Fishing Rules (Chapter Fis 600 - Administrative Rules)
- NH Revised Statutes - Title XVIII, Fish and Game Statutes Online
Additional Links:
- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
- New England Fisheries Management Council
- Gulf of Maine Council
- National Marine Fisheries Service – Northeast Regional Office
- Coastal Conservation Association
- Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System
- Shoals Marine Laboratory (undergraduate education, research, classes for adults/families)
- UNH Coastal Observing Center
- Partnership to Restore New Hampshire’s Estuaries
- National Saltwater Angler Registry
- www.greatbaypartnership.org - maps of conserved lands and information about the unique partnership.
