The system
In the United States, there are no AAPPMAs or fishing federations like in France. Here, fishing is managed by government agencies. Each state's Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for issuing fishing licenses.
Fishing licenses are specific to each state. A single license is not valid for the entire country, and you must obtain a license for each state in which you wish to fish.
Fresh and salt water
As for the environment, there are differences here too. In France, a fishing license is required for freshwater fishing, whereas no license is required for sea fishing. In the USA, however, this is not the case everywhere, and it may be necessary to have both a freshwater and a saltwater license.
Validity
As in France, a license is valid for one year, but this year is not necessarily counted in the same way. While the states of Florida and California, for example, use the calendar year, i.e. January 1 to December 31, other states do not.
Colorado's fishing season begins on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following year. The Texas season begins on September 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year.
Resident and non-resident
Another distinction to bear in mind is that there is a permit for residents of the state, i.e. people who live there all year round, and a permit for non-residents, i.e. tourists and non-residents of the state. When visiting, it's this permit that you need.
Catch sizes, dates and techniques
The country is so large that a single set of regulations is impossible, and there is no single fishing license for every state in the USA. Each state has different fishing laws to suit the environment and species it supports.
As a result, it's important to bear in mind that fishing is managed by the state in which you're located. On their websites, you'll find all the information you need, and often even more, with tips and tricks.
When you look at the regulations, state by state, they are easier to understand. It is therefore very important, before a fishing trip to the United States, to take the time to find out about the regulations in force, and thus optimize your trip.
It's worth noting that inverted mesh, which is only just beginning to make an appearance in some parts of France, is something that has been around for a long time in the USA.
The price
The price of an annual permit for a non-resident varies from state to state, ranging from $10 to $150. In Florida, for example, the freshwater license costs $47, as does the saltwater license, making a total of $94 if you wish to practice in both places. There are also 1, 3 and 7-day permits available for a lower price.
You can order your license directly from the authorities' website, or pick it up from the vast majority of stores that stock fishing tackle, such as Bass Pro Shop and even Walmart.
In conclusion, fishing in the USA is very simple, well explained, and the authorities have put in place measures to facilitate access to fishing for tourists. The only thing to bear in mind is that you need a permit for each state, and you need to find out exactly what their rules are.
