Becoming a Registered Maine Guide

Becoming a Registerd Maine Guide:

Intro | Application | Past & Present | Testing | Whitewater Guide's License

Maine Guides Past

A little history......

Maine Guides were first licensed in 1897
The first licensed guide was a woman
"Fly Rod" Crosby (pictured right)
1316 guides licensed that first year
Click here for more on the History of the Maine Guide

Guiding was primarily for hunters and fishermen -

big game hunting was the mainstay
inland fishing
canoe trips gained in popularity

For many years, a Maine Guide was not required to submit to any standardized testing. Interested parties simply had to pass muster with the local game warden. If he considered you qualified and fit to guide in the outdoors, presto! You were duly registered as a Maine guide! In 1975, a standardized test and procedure was established for licensing of Maine guides.

Maine Guides Present

Currently there are over 3000 licensed guides in the State of Maine

Ther are now nine seperate license types offered:

~hunting
~fishing
~recreation
~hunting & fishing
~hunting & recreation

~fishing & recreation
~sea kayaking
~tidewater
~master

Primarily small independent businesses

Maine Guides provide a unique perspective gained through experience!

Need more info on becoming a guide? Contact:

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0041
Tel: 207-287-8000
TTY: 207-287-4471

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