Rule 1501:31-3-11 | Fishing guides.
(A) Applicants for an Ohio fishing guide license whose intent it is to take clients on their vessel for hire where a United States coast guard merchant mariner credential is required, shall submit a copy of their valid United States coast guard merchant mariner credential along with their application and fee.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to make a copy of an Ohio fishing guide license. The individual in command of a boat or in charge of any guide service shall possess their original fishing guide license when guide services are being performed on waters where a fishing license is required, and exhibit it upon demand to any wildlife officer or other law enforcement officer who has authority to enforce the wildlife, hunting, and fishing laws.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any individual to operate in the lake Erie fishing district as a fishing guide without possessing a valid Ohio fishing guide license. Provided further, persons properly licensed as a fishing guide shall be exempt from keeping catch reports as required in section 1533.511 of the Revised Code.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate in the lake Erie fishing district a boat for consideration or hire as a fishing guide boat without displaying a fishing guide decal furnished by the division of wildlife.
(E) The fishing guide decal shall be:
(1) In a form prescribed by the chief of the division of wildlife.
(2) Serialized with a different number on each decal.
(3) Issued annually.
(4) Valid on April sixteenth of each year and expire on the following April fifteenth.
(5) Displayed in the inside lower left corner of the front windshield of a boat, or when no windshield is present, displayed on the exterior of the boat stern in the upper left corner.
(F) It shall be unlawful for:
(1) A person to display on a boat an expired fishing guide decal.
(2) A person to display on a boat a fishing guide decal issued to another person, except when it is displayed in addition to the one issued to the person performing as a fishing guide.
(G) In the lake Erie fishing district, it shall be unlawful for any individual to operate as an Ohio fishing guide with clients on a vessel for hire without a valid United States coast guard merchant mariner credential or while their license is under suspension or revocation or has expired.
(H) All definitions set forth in rule 1501:31-1-02 of the Administrative Code apply to this rule.
Last updated January 2, 2024 at 10:03 AM
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