Quote Originally Posted by mrdux View Post
I guide on KY and Barkley Lakes in KY. I pay the state of KY $150 for a yearly guide license PLUS I have to buy a separate fishing license, guide license doesn't cover that. I have to carry guide insurance, essentially the same policy pro anglers carry. It covers damage/theft to my equipment, liability to cover my clients, all kinds of stuff about clean-up and pollution fees if my boat goes down and pollutes the water. Believe me when I say it's not cheap. It is painful.

Now the topper---since KY and Barkley Lakes are part of the inland waterways system, I have to be certified as a U.S.Coast Guard Captain. My license is called OUPV or "6 pack". It took me several months of bureaucracy and over $2000 in fees, schooling, testing, drug tests, eye tests, you name it to qualify to get the credentials. If I choose to guide without it, I'm subject to up to $25,000 fine and forfeiture of all my equipment (boat, tackle, truck at the ramp). Am I happy that I have to go thru this? No, but I see no way around it that I could deal with. The 6 pack is good for 5 years. I won't have to retest as long as I have a certain number of hours on the water each year (not a problem).All the other stuff has to be renewed.

I was not aware that MS didn't require a guide license. There may be other states that don't also. I never had to have a MO waterfowl guide license in all the years I guided/outfitted over there. I'm not going to throw my hat either way in this debate.

Carry on.

I
only input I will put in this post is pay a real close attention to mrdux post what is hi-lited in RED !!!! its the same in South Carolina but the fines are much higher !!! I think John (aka ReesGuide) said it best "be careful what ask for" !!!