Laws, Permits & Licenses at Saco River
State and local laws, permits, and licenses may apply to your group. It is your responsibility to know and adhere to all rules.
Life Jacket Laws
All Watercraft Require PFDs – Title 12 Section 13068-A.
- New Hampshire & Maine State Law requires each passenger on board to have a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD).
- Children aged 10 and under must wear a PFD at all times while aboard a watercraft.
- PFDs must be Type I, II, or III, U.S. Coast Guard approved, and wearable.
- Cushions do not count as required safety gear or information.
- Boats longer than 16 feet must have a throwable PFD.
- Life jackets are not required for anyone over the age of 10 using an open bottom tube, but are still recommended.
- Floats and inflatables with solid or mesh bottoms do require PFDs.
The Maine Warden Service recommends that everyone should wear a life jacket while boating or floating on the Saco River.
For more information, see the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife page and the Maine Boater Safety Handbook.
Going fishing?
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone aged 16 and older who is fishing or transporting fishing equipment.
Boats with motors
Any boat, including a canoe, that has a motor of any type is required to have a valid registration.
Drink responsibly
Maine state law prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages in public. Do not consume alcohol of any kind while on the water.
Going fishing?
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone aged 16 and older who is fishing or transporting fishing equipment on inland Maine waterways. You must have your license with you at all times while fishing and must exhibit your license for inspection by any warden, law enforcement officer, guide, or landowner upon request. A digital receipt is acceptable proof of license. To obtain your fishing license online, please visit the the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Boats with motors
Drink responsibly.
Lighting Fires on the Saco River
To light a campfire, guests must receive a fire permit at Swan’s Falls Visitor’s Center, Jockey Cap Country Store in Fryeburg, or at Woodland Acres Campground in Brownfield. Permits are by donation only. Fires are to be built on sandbars and beaches only, NOT up in the woods (even if you find evidence of campfire rings or remains of previous fires). Please keep all fires at a reasonable size and burn only locally sourced wood. Do not cut any trees for any purpose. Under NO circumstances should you burn your trash. When finished, please completely extinguish your fire with water (NOT sand) and scatter the remains. Fireworks are illegal on the Saco River. This policy is strictly enforced!
Barges and Flotillas
The town of Fryeburg has passed an ordinance requiring the registration of all manmade “barges” or “flotillas” used for recreational purposes on the Saco River in Fryeburg, Maine. A barge is defined as any floating device which contains a flat surface, often (but not limited to) plywood, measuring approximately 4 x 8 ft. or more, and raised from the surface of the river by one or more floating devices. The SRRC uses discretion to determine whether or not a floating device qualifies as a barge. All manmade barges or flotillas must obtain a refundable $250 permit from Swan’s Falls Campground in Fryeburg. Any guests with barge permits who do not remove barges from the river or who do not return their barge to the Saco River Recreational Council at Swan’s Falls for inspection will forfeit their deposit. For more information, see full barge permit (right) or contact us.