Bringing your boat to Maine this season? Here’s what you need to know.

Sacopee Valley News
26 minutes ago
3 min read

Bringing your boat to Maine this season? Here’s what you need to know:

Non-Maine registered watercraft that are properly registered in another state and display a valid registration do not need to be registered in Maine, provided the watercraft is not kept in Maine for more than 60 consecutive days after a change in the state of principal use. However, these watercraft are still required by law to have a Lake and River Protection Sticker. The fee for the sticker is $59.

How to Purchase a Sticker:

In-person purchases can be made at many authorized agents throughout the state. Click here for a list of participating agents.

If visiting an agent is not possible, boaters may complete and submit this form to request a sticker by mail. Once the transaction is processed, a confirmation email will be sent. Boaters should keep a copy of this confirmation with them until their sticker arrives and is affixed to their watercraft. Please plan for at least two weeks for your stickers to arrive once your transaction is processed.

For Maine-Registered Watercraft:

No additional action is needed. The Lake and River Protection Sticker is automatically included with the annual watercraft registration. Renewal for Maine-registered watercraft can be completed online.

Why This Matters:

Revenue from Lake and River Protection Sticker sales supports efforts led by Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and WIldlife to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Maine. Funds are used for education, monitoring, enforcement, and management programs targeting invasive aquatic plants, fish, and other wildlife.

Thank you for helping protect Maine's waterways!

Learn More about Lake and River Protection Stickers

Current Surface Use Restrictions

Portions of three central Maine waters have been closed to prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive plant species. At this time, no watercrafts may enter the closed areas unless for emergency situations or survey and removal efforts by MDIFW and MDEP. Remediation is underway. Please click the links below to view maps of the closed areas. Closed areas are marked with buoys.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping protect Maine's waters.

Learn More

Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species

Prevention is key! Aquatic invasive species can often be spread through the various outdoor activities that we all enjoy on Maine's lakes and rivers. By staying informed and taking simple preventative steps, we can all play a part in protecting the waters we love. Together, we share the responsibility to keep Maine's waterways healthy for future generations.

CLEAN

Clean off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, motor, trailer, gear, and equipment including waders, footwear, ropes, anchors, bait traps, dip nets, downrigger cables, fishing lines, and field gear before leaving water access.

Scrub off any visible material on footwear with a stiff brush.

Dispose of debris in a trash reciprocal or a responsible location away from the water.

DRAIN

Drain water from the watercraft prior to entering a waterbody and when preparing to leave a launch site.

Maine law requires that prior to entering a water body and when preparing to leave launch sites, boaters must remove or open any devices designed for routine removal/opening (for example, hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage draining of areas containing water (excluding live bait containers). This must be done in a way that does not allow drained water to enter any inland water of the state.

Do not drain boats on the launch ramp as it can spread aquatic invasive species within the waterbody. Always drain boats away from the water.