conservation fishing licence any one buy or have one?

[My_Key]

This is the first I have even heard of the conservation license. I'll still buy my individual license as I always have. The cost is minimal considering all the other money I have spent on the gear I take to the lake.

[H2O Milfoil]

My_Key: I totally agree. In fact, I have been opposed to the conservation license on a couple of points. One, it reduces the funding to the DNR and I suspect it doesn't really increase the total number of licenses sold. Second, it is an enforcement nightmare...an impossibility. We all know the CO presence is greatly reduced these days (I haven't been field checked in years). And I suspect the cheaters are out there buying the conservation license to save a few bucks and still get off the lake with all the fish they want. The conservation license is supposed to be an honor system but, as we all know, the cheaters don't have any honor. But I guess if a guy's gotta cheat us out of $6, I suppose he needs all the fish he can eat just to survive. For those who take their significant other out only once in a while, there is the combination license or the daily license. But, seriously, Minnesota at $17 is cheaper than our neighbors and is a wonderful bargain. I would support a significant increase if I knew it was being used properly.

[JimBuck]

I have a conservation license currently. (Please put away your torches and daggers) When I heard about the opportunity I figured I really only keep fish a few times a year (usually in Canada) and primarily target species that aren't appetizing on a dinner plate to me.

I understand the DNR has very limited funding and am very grateful for all they have done and continue to do for our resources. The license decision wasn't a money issue or due to lack of faith in our system. I assume they use the data to better assess the amount of C&R fishing or limited harvest and it's impact on current populations. I'm interested to see what the motivations are behind offering this license outside of the money issue. Does anyone know outside of cost, what the benefits of having a conservation license are? i.e. Research etc.

[croixflats]

New fishing license proposed

State Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, and State Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, introduced in the Minnesota Legislature Thursday a bill creating a new, reduced-fee, fishing license named the Conservation Fishing License.

The license would cost two-thirds the price of a standard fishing license. Anglers who purchase a conservation license would be allowed to take one-half the daily and possession limits of a regular-price license.

“This lower-priced license will not only provide more people with the opportunity to get out fishing, but it will also help conserve our fish populations,” Bakk said. “It’s a win-win for both the environment and anglers. Catch-and-release is great, but a lot of people want to take a few home to eat too; this would accommodate both. Why should anglers who voluntarily want to conserve fish populations be forced to pay for a full-priced license? The current situation provides no incentive to conserve. There’s also been discussion by the DNR about increasing the cost of fishing licenses. If that happens, sportsmen will feel a familiar frustration, pay more, get less,” said Bakk.

Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, is the author of the companion bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives. “A similar license is available and popular in Canada. The Canadian license is the genesis of our idea to lower costs and conserve fish stocks,” Dill said.

Recently, the Minnesota DNR discussed the idea of decreasing walleye limits throughout the state, which would be a drastic change and has the potential to hurt tourism businesses in the state. “A reduced-limit, reduced-fee fishing license would give the Minnesota DNR another option in conserving fish populations and could help avoid statewide limit reductions,” said Bakk. “With fishing license sales going down every year, a conservation license could have the potential to change the culture of fishing for the better.”

[croixflats]

Actually be cheaper getting the combo conservation at $17 when he gets maried.

[Grum]

I have purchased a sports lic. since I was 16. the way I see it, even if I don't take any game that year I'm investing in the future, so when I do choose to take some, there will be something there to go out after. A small price to pay for a lifetime of priceless memories.

[JimBuck]

Thanks for posting this CroixFlats. When did conservation licenses become available in Minnesota? Besides our neighbors to the north, do any other state's offer this opportunity?

[Juneau4]

Thanks for posting this CroixFlats. When did conservation licenses become available in Minnesota? Besides our neighbors to the north, do any other state's offer this opportunity?

MN. it went into effect in 2009. I'm not aware of any other neighboring states that have them. Down south who knows they have some different rules for nearly everything in every state.

[DT10 Guy]

I purchased the conservation license last year and will do the same for 2010!

[croixflats]

Thanks for posting this Croix Flats. When did conservation licenses become available in Minnesota? Besides our neighbors to the north, do any other state's offer this opportunity?

I'm not sure of any other states either that have this option. I know some states have a conservation license you have to buy along with a fishing license in order to fish, now that would be a shock to pay $17 0r $18 dollars for a license then on top of that another $10.

I like the conservation license. I can see this helping families that dont fish at all but would like to. Like say a single parent that wants to take the youngster to the pond. The waters should be accessible to everyone.

The argument of this may take away from the fund is a valid one but I feel its more important to promote accessibility and fairness. The DNR is going to do what it does with their budget. This and that will determine how and where they spend our money. And if they feel this license is going to effect what they want to do you can bet they will raise a stink over it.

Anywho, I have the sportsman license because I like the taste of fish and wild game specialy those 48 inch muskie and 28 inch walleyes the big northerns not so much.

I also have habbitat plates on my vehicle. Love the boating one. I dont know, for those that wouldnt mind paying more for a license why dont you go spend $40 on a habbitat plate.

[ozzie]

I had a whole long post about this but all I can say IT IS UNDER $20 TO FISH ALL YEAR!!!!!!! buy the regular license and get over it.........I hope they raise the price on the fishing license to $50 for an individual!!!! That is still cheap to use and fish the resources in this state!!!!!!

[Walleye Guy]

When you consider all the other costs related to fish that most of us incur on any given year, the cost of a license is the best value there is. For the cost of a license you may be able to buy the following:

-A pound of leeches

-Three crankbaits

-Two road passes to any of the largest lakes in the state

-Two 6 gallon cans full of gas for the boat

-Half a tank of gas for the truck

-Case of beer

-A meal at a fast food restaurant for a family of four

I think you get my point...

[onthelakeBlake]

When and where does a person draw the line and say that enough money is already being spent on everything else that it takes to go fishing?

[Juneau4]

The same day you say "I do",Usually in a church.

[Eric_Kruger]

Originally Posted By: Juneau4

Actually be cheaper getting the combo conservation at $17 when he gets maried.

but then i couldnt bring home a limit when its just me right?

EK

[waterbound]

The same day you say "I do",Usually in a church.

Haha, that's great. Tourneychamp, with a husband/wife combination license I believe you pay less but recieve the same legal rights as you would buying individual licenses. I think the reasoning is that they will sell more licenses if it's a reduced cost to take the wife along compared to making her buy a regular license only to use it a couple times a season.