License fee increases possible

[cavalierowner]

I was just on the DNR HSOforum to look at deer hunting success rates and I noticed a proposal to raise fishing license fees, and most other license fees, for the first time in 11 years. They are proposing an increase, for example, of $7 per year for individual fishing. They are also proposing fishing licenses good for 3 years, for 3 days and for 90 days.

I personally have no problem with the proposed increases and intend to support it. Even if I only fished once a month, it would only be an extra $.58 per time. I think I can afford that. And I really like being able to buy a 3 years license.

[Shawnny B]

being its tax time and you may get a rebate, they do have a lifetime fishing license also

[cavalierowner]

I have looked at that in the past. It meant a trip to St. Paul and at age 63 I decided not to do it. But if licenses may go up to $24, it may be worth the trip to St. Paul.

[going4it]

I agree that with a license increase to support the DNR, we have it pretty good. What I dont agree with is why resident goes up 7 dollars and nonresident only goes up 4.50. Iowa charges big dollars for hunting licenses because they have the resources. We have the fishing resources make the out of state people pay more. Go to any resorts and your going to see tons of out of state people. Their prices should at least go up the same as ours if not double in my book.

[Random guy]

With basic inflation and now the added costs of invasive species, slot managed lakes, creel surveys and an barrage of management items the DNR needs to handle something has to happen. Along with the fact CO’s have been spread pretty thin I see no problem with the increase.

As a small business that caters to nonresident sportsman I also see no problem with a matched increase for nonresidents verses residents.

[suncruiser234]

We should double the price of the non-res licenses and the res by 2 dollars. Look at what it cost to buy a non-res license in our neighboring states and they don't have the fishing opportunities that we have in the great state of MN.

[cavalierowner]

What I dont agree with is why resident goes up 7 dollars and nonresident only goes up 4.50. Iowa charges big dollars for hunting licenses because they have the resources. We have the fishing resources make the out of state people pay more. Go to any resorts and your going to see tons of out of state people. Their prices should at least go up the same as ours if not double in my book.

I hadn't looked at the nonresident increases. I agree, they should be going up at least the same percentage increase as the resident fees. I wonder what DNR was thinking about?

[Hardyboy]

What they are looking at by not increasing non resident licenses dramatically is keeping the flow of non residents and their dollars flowing into the state. That adds up to huge revenues for the state including nice folks like jonny p who count on those dollars to help support his family.If someone were to compare against surrounding states then minnesota will get the money. you cant look at it as license revenue alone. theres food from the local grocery stores, gas from the local stations,bait and tackle from local bait shops, guideing service from local guides, breakfast lunch or dinner from local restaraunts. Not to mention good stories to tell their frinds and family that may come with the next time.

[Tom7227]

I have looked at that in the past. It meant a trip to St. Paul and at age 63 I decided not to do it. But if licenses may go up to $24, it may be worth the trip to St. Paul.

If you download the application it shows you on page 5 that you can mail in the application. I think the earlier reference that the licenses are processed at the St. Paul HQ means you can't go to a local license center to buy it.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/licenses/lifetime/res_lifetime.pdf

[fishersofmen]

I would think a few extra dollars added to the non-resident fee would not make or break them either though. I know if I wanted to take a fishing trip to Wisconsin I wouldn't change my course of action to a different state over a few dollars on a license. I also would like the 3 year license.

[cavalierowner]

[quote=Tom7227

If you download the application it shows you on page 5 that you can mail in the application. I think the earlier reference that the licenses are processed at the St. Paul HQ means you can't go to a local license center to buy it.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/licenses/lifetime/res_lifetime.pdf

[c0untryf1sh3r]

I would have no problem with an increase in license fees. As long as its going to the DNR to help with something useful, such as funding for more CO's which we all know we need more of, then by all means go for it.

[rumeye]

I was just on the DNR HSOforum to look at deer hunting success rates and I noticed a proposal to raise fishing license fees, and most other license fees, for the first time in 11 years. They are proposing an increase, for example, of $7 per year for individual fishing. They are also proposing fishing licenses good for 3 years, for 3 days and for 90 days.

I personally have no problem with the proposed increases and intend to support it. Even if I only fished once a month, it would only be an extra $.58 per time. I think I can afford that. And I really like being able to buy a 3 years license.

With the price of gas going up and up I guess I can afford it. Let them just keep nickel and diming us to death. Somewhere it"s got to stop.

[cavalierowner]

I didn't think it was out of line with no increase in the last 11 years. I don't see that as nickle and diming us.

[ib_jigged]

How about user fees for lakes from out of state boaters? I have a seasonal spot north of Bemidji and there are lots of ND people there and I know for a fact that many of their boats and pontoons are never in any other water other than the lake we are on, and they are licenesed in ND, not MN.

I would think this is wrong and the state of MN should see this money.

Snowmobile trail users need to buy trail permits? Why not the same for boats from out of state?

[amateurfishing]

@ 44, im just better of waiting till im 51 with their with their lifetime license table rate. 16-50 group, u need to be under 30 to make it worthwhile (i think).

[BLACKJACK]

@ 44, im just better of waiting till im 51 with their with their lifetime license table rate. 16-50 group, u need to be under 30 to make it worthwhile (i think).

Thats exactly what I did, when I hit 50 I bought my lifetime fishing license. And also lifetime archery, gun deer, and small game licenses. I figured that it will take 11-13 years at current prices for me to break even. Then after that its free

As far as a license increases, three points:

1)How many years has it been since the last increase? Can you name anything else that has stayed the same price in that many years? I'm sure that everything that the DNR pays for (manpower, gas, etc) has went up. Its time for an increase.

2) If you only go fishing twice a month, it only costs you 70 cents a day (17/24) to fish, where else can you find entertainment that cheap?? And its even cheaper if you go more often.

3) I think non-resident fees should be a LOT higher. Lets make some money!!! Other states have good elk hunting or good pheasant hunting and they soak the non-resident hunters. We have good fishing, soak the non-residents!!! If Joe Cornfarmer is coming from Iowa and paying thousands of dollars for his family of four to stay at a resort, with gas, food, etc., another $100 for fishing licenses is not going to keep him away.

[amateurfishing]

generally "smart" states always nail the out of towners in taxes such as hotel, dining, taxi, etc.....dont see why DNR should be any different

when out of staters r 2-3 times price as residents it does 2 things First it brings in big bucks (which will never be deterred by vacationers) and 2. it usually helps keep the prices down for its own state residents. no one is going to cancel a fishing trip or family vacation over $50 worth of fishing fees

[dan z]

A three year lisc would be a nice option. I also thinks its b.s that were not charging the non-residents. we are the walleye capitol of the worls why not capitolize on it. a few bucks wont make them stay home.

[TruthWalleyes]

I'm fine with the increase. Fishing license is quite a deal anyways, at least for someone who fishes a lot.

I agree with others above about increasing out of state license fees as well...maybe we can fund some more wash stations then

[mnhunter79]

Everyone wants MORE money, well so do i. but my pay rate stays the same. im not in favor of this at all !!!!

[jwmiller33]

Considering the resources our DNR has to manage (~several thousand lakes, much more than other neighboring states) as well as the services they provide us (ie: MN DNR lake finder), it is laughable that our fishing licenses (both res and non-res) are cheaper than WI.

MN non res = $39.50

WI non res = $50

MN res = $17

WI res - $20

I am all for the MN DNR increasing licenses. We have the resouces (ie thousands of lakes with healthy fish populations) and the demand is there (both res and non res). I would like to see a bigger presence of COs on the lakes and in order to do so, they need more money coming in to pay for the COs. Like I said, I am all for a license increase and I would like to see our license fees, both res and non res, be at least as much as neighboring states, if not more considering how we have many more lakes to manage.

Not to mention inflation which should also be taken into account for these matters. I can't even remember the last time the license fees were increased, but I can guarantee that inflation has gone up a lot since license fees have been raised.

[Ybone]

North Dakota charges $35 individual and $45 combination, South Dakota $62 individual, Wisconsin is a little cheaper on some of their short term non res licenses. Mn non resident license fees have been raised at least once in the last few years most recently to make up for the money lost from not licensing portable fish houses.

[ClownColor]

I don't mind paying alittle more as well but...why do they have to raise rates during a recession? I never understood this practice. Increase your fees, rates, whatever when money is good and flowing. "build-up" a savings and when the ecconomy takes a dive, you can maintain your rates at the same price, keep people happy, keep people using your services and then you have a succesful buisness.

I won't think twice about buying one-but many people out there need every dollar they can save right now.

Bad timing is all!

[icecold]

I can hardly afford to pay for gas to get to work much less pay for higher license fees, ,my wages dont go up and I have been in the workforce for 28 years, The dnr just needs to spend money wisley instead of getting new trucks and boats every year, my boat is 15 years old and still floats??? Lets keep prices the same so us folks in the lower class can keep affording to take our kids fishing.