I just registered, it was rather painless. It only takes about 5 minutes.
I did it online. They give you a temporary card to print out that you have to keep (or just write down your registration #) until they mail you your waterproof one (they say within 30 days). I also wrote the # on the bottom of my Fishing License in case I loose my card.
Go to
www.countmyfish.noaa.gov if'n you wanna do it.
Happy New Year y'all.
Jim