I'd love to see a Report of  EXACTLY WHERE all the Money goes to ......Certainly Not Stocking of Fish and Most certainly NOT Maintenance....I bring a garbage bag with me every time I go out, and usually bring it back half full of other peoples litter!....The increase in NY from $19 to $29  for resident and $40 to $70 for Non resident , plus extra fees of $10 or more, is going to make a lot of people either stop fishing ( which is what some groups want) or fish illegally and chance getting caught...For My Wife, My Son & I, the total will now be well over $100....a Big Nut to Crack

 

.       Don't get me wrong, I have No Problem paying my share but when it  (most likely) may be  going to the very people who are against fishing and Not trying to improve and promote the sport we love....that is just not fair or justified at all..... Just my opinion.

                         Montana

Res   $26.00     Plus   $5.00  for a warm water fish stamp to fish desingnated waters for  - bass ,walleye, sauger, crappie, catfish ,perch pike ,sturgeon ,and tiger muskie.
  +     $6.50 for paddlefish

$12.00 in Missouri for a basic fishing lic.
Steve---Lifer since '95--NSMC--B.A.S.S.--AnglersLegacyAmbassador--BoatU.S.Angler--tinboats--"Just Goin' Fishin' "----- Hail from east-central MO

It's been a while since I checked this topic. I had no idea how much folks in other states pay for licenses! I get stuck every year because I fish Lk Mich Salmon from a marina on the Il-Wi state line. Because my wife will occasionally joins us, I buy a Wi. Family lic. for $65 as opposed to 2 individdual licenses @ $50 ea. I still have to buy salmon stamps @ $10 ea, but it is $85 instead of $120. Add in the Il lic and I am way over $125 unles I fish another state! Tom

Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF upstate NY

In-Fisherman did a poll years ago about license cost...and they were amazed at the percentage of responses that said "I'd be willing to pay more as long as the money goes towards DNR / habitat / environmental" issues.

 

SOME states have laws in place where license revenue HAS to go towards conservation / "DNR" type activities. THere's a LOT of folks affected by lack of fishing...so when several states over the years got caught "robbing" license money for "general budget" purposes, MANY diverse folks have complained.

 

I guess I look at it like this....if I pay $30 a year for a license....and go fishing 30 times....each time cost me $1.

 

Can I do that price at a movie? Can I do that at an amusement park?

 

No I can't.

 

Heck...my phone company just jacked my bill for LOCAL phone service + Internet $10 per month. For those 2 services...I'm now paying over $70  a month. I was paying LESS than $40 a month in California...and had FASTER Internet.

 

SORRY to rant folks

 

So to me...as long as the money goes for the improvement of fisheries....I don't have a problem with a license increase.

 

I guess the biggest question will be...where does it end? My property taxes have gone up 30% over the last 3 years.

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Dave: I can sympathise. The problem with states "sweeping" or diverting (political for stealing) funds from License sales is the resulting loss in federal funds. There is a Federal excise tax levied on all fishing tackle, including boats and motors, that is distributed to the states by a complex formula that involves license sales and a few more factors. If dedicated license fees are diverted as they were last year in Il, federal funds can be denied or even reclaimed. Also, these federal funds must be spent on wildlife or conservation projects, and the closure of a federally funded site like a boat launch could result in future loss of federal funds. Things were much worse here under our deposed Gov, the new guy seems OK. Tom
Fishin' fool in N.E. Illinois

The money here in NY is suppose to go back to DEC, but it is just a paper shuffle. The money spent on fish and wildlife is more than what is taken in so it is easy to jockey the numbers to make it look good. You add up 1000's of salaries and benefits. Then lump this in with that and they have it covered.

My point of this thread was not to complain about how everything was going up. But instead to show that most of us are in the same boat. (no pun intended) Like Dave said if you fish 30 times and it cost you $30.00 that is a bargain. I know I got my money's worth this year I most likely fished at least 60 days so that is only .50 cents a day. There are alot of worst things I could spend money on. Case in point one of the guys at work told me last week that he spends       $ 24.00 a day on smoking. Thank God I don't smoke. Some states will be alot less for a fishing license than others. There could be good reasons for that. Some states will be alot more. A good fishing program is expensive. Here in NY the states fishing program is very diverse and the state is good size. You can't compare the fishing program here  to say Rhode Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF upstate NY

Oregon

Resident                                                        $24.75

Juvenile (14-17 yrs old)                                  $6.75

Senior (70 yrs old and 5 yrs residence)            $12.00

Disabled Vet                                                    Free

Resident Pioneer (65 yrs old 50 yr residence)    Free  (6 more years baby)

Tag for Salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon                 $21.50  (Good for 20 fish)

Tag Juvenile                                                       $6.50

Hatchery Tag                                                      $12.00  (you can keep buying these for an additional 10 hatchery fish)

Disabled                                                             Free

Non-Resident                                                    $61.50

1-Day                                                                  $12.00 (includes tag above)

2-Day                                                                  $22.50

3-Day                                                                  $33.00

4-Day                                                                  $43.50

7-Day                                                                  $43.75

 

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

IN ARKANSAS A LICENSE IS $12.00, AND $5.00 FOR A TROUT STAMP. NO EXTRAS FOR MORE THAN ONE POLE.

 

I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU GUYS THAT HAVE TO PAY ALL THESE FEES WHEN ALL I PAY IS $17.00

 

I'M  SHOCKED ITS NOT HIGHER HERE CONSIDERING ARKANSAS DOES MORE FISH STOCKING THEN MOST STATES (YEAR ROUND STOCKING OF MANY PUBLIC WATERS).

Yanosick: perhaps some of the stocking budget comes from tourism funds, fishing is big business in Arkansas. Tom
Fishin' fool in N.E. Illinois

Looks like Oregon is one of the highest fees
Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF upstate NY

Washington has similar fees, but where else are you going to find such a diverse collection of species.  We can fish year round in a fair amount of comfort (Not too hot, not too cold) and chase most species year round as well.  I didn't mention the Sport Pack License which is combination hunting/fishing, plus all of the tags for hunting and fishing for $130.  This is the way I go and it saves $50-$100 depending on what I hunt and fish for.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

Hey, Wellsley.  The cost of a resident license is $26.00 in WV.  There is a misprint of 28 on the list.

Thanks, Gary

Life Member, Retired WV State Police, Retired SFC US Army. Poca, West Virginia

Texas

• Freshwater Package - $30
• Saltwater Package - $35
• All-Water Package - $40

And that is just the fishing prices, does not include combo prices for hunting as well.

Good call, Leo...I am flabbergasted the prices have risen so high here....thank God for the disabled Vet license, or I may not be able to afford the increases so far and yet to come! Sorry you were not able to make the meeting yesterday, the weather was terrific, and you missed out on some killer beans!

Don't forget the club benefit of rebate on your fishing license fee.  It only takes a little effort on our parts.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

We just got the word today that the Illinois Res Lic. will go up $2.00 next year for a total of $15.00 for a basic lic, stamp prices will remain unchanged. The general buzz among the hard core is that it should have been a $5 increase. Judging from what I see here, even $18 is a bargain. Tom
Fishin' fool in N.E. Illinois

Wyoming is resident fishing 24.00 conservation stamp 12.50 required we can fish with 2 poles here Bill Life Member Since 09-01-09

Michigan Resident License, ALL SPECIES, for senior's is $11.00
USAF Retired 1960-1980., Skycop., Born in Erie, PA., now live in Gwinn, Michigan, the UP of Michigan! (Gods Country). cya when I cya, take care, God Bess, AND be careful out there.