PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is encouraging anglers, boaters and hunters to purchase their 2020 fishing and hunting license and renew their boat registration through DEM's Licensing and Registration portal. This online service provides customers with streamlined, on-demand access to the licensing and registration process from the comfort of home –eliminating the need for an in-person visit to DEM offices.
With the trout fishing season set to open in Rhode Island on Saturday, April 11, the online system, found at www.dem.ri.gov/huntfish, offers a convenient way for anglers to obtain their freshwater fishing license and ensure they're able to get on the water on Opening Day. Resident and non-resident customers also can purchase trout stamps; recreational saltwater fishing licenses; hunting licenses, permits and tags; and combination freshwater fishing and hunting licenses through the online portal. Customers eligible for no-cost licenses – such as Rhode Island residents over 65, veterans with 100% disability status, and persons with 100% disability status – can select a no-cost license in the list of available licenses in the system.
A customer's first transaction through the system establishes a Rhode Island Hunting and Fishing ID, or RIHFID (pronounced Rye-fid). This identifier is unique to each customer and can be used to quickly purchase additional licenses and permits, reprint lost or damaged license documents, and renew licenses in subsequent years. The system can be accessed 24/7, allowing customers to manage their accounts and add new permits and licenses at their convenience.
DEM's Office of Boat Registration and Licensing serves about 100 walk-in customers each day, and volumes typically increase in the spring with boat registration renewals. DEM encourages boaters to renew their registration through the online portal. Upon completion of the online renewal, boat owners will be able to print a temporary registration that allows the vessel to be used during the two-week period while the registration is being processed and the decal mailed. While many people visit DEM in-person to register a new vessel, DEM reminds boaters that new vessels can be registered by mail by filling out a registration application, outboard motor registration application and title application. Required registration documents are located on this information sheet.
For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.