National Saltwater Angler Registry

Welcome to the National Saltwater Angler Registry (NSAR). Most anglers do not need to register through the National Saltwater Angler Registry. If you will be fishing on a private boat in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will probably need to register with us, unless you already have a saltwater fishing license issued by any of the states. If you are fishing in any other state, or in federal ocean waters more than three miles offshore, you will only need to comply with the state requirements, in which case you will likely need to obtain a state-issued recreational saltwater fishing license or registration. Links to state registries are below.
Alabama Alaska California Connecticut	Delaware Florida Georgia Louisiana	Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi	New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina	Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina	Texas Virginia Washington

The fee for NSAR registration is $29.00* for most people. If you have further questions about whether or not you need to register with us, please click on "Do I need to register?" above. Thank you.

*Some people of Native American and Western Pacific Island descent are exempt from paying the registration fee.

In some states, owners and operators of commercial charter boats, head boats and guide boats are required to register passenger vessels with NOAA. Not sure if you need to register, find out here.

The National Saltwater Angler Registry is the law. It is also an important tool to help better count fishermen and their catch. Become part of a network of fishermen helping to conserve our oceans and ensure the future of recreational fishing. By registering, you help NOAA make your catch count.

If you have questions or concerns about the National Saltwater Angler Registry
please call (301) 427-8197. Please note: we are not able to provide refunds for bank account debits (ACH) under any circumstances.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: The collection of this information is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.

Purpose: In order to manage U.S. fisheries, the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires the use of registrations by anglers and for-hire fishing vessel owners or operators in the United States. Information on NOAA Fisheries registrations and renewing holders includes the following. For anglers: name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, telephone number, and intended fishing location. For for-hire fishing vessel owner or operator: vessel name, vessel number, primary contact's name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, telephone number, and home port or principal area of operation. Registration information may be used as sampling frames for surveys, as part of NOAA or Fishery Management Council (FMC) analysis to support NOAA and FMC decisions.

Routine Uses: The Department will use this information to determine registration eligibility and to identify fishery participants. Disclosure of this information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within NMFS offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources, as well as with the applicable State or Regional Marine Fisheries Commissions and International Organizations. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all of the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for the United States Federally Regulated Fisheries.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to provide complete and accurate information will prevent the determination of eligibility for a registration.