License Fees Went Up

[Juan Grande]

Got my fishing license this morning. It was $36 for a family license. I thought that seemed high and the cashier said it went up $8 from last year. Seems like quite a hike for one year. I think he said the individual license went up $5. Of course, $8 doesn't break the bank but I expect there won't be another increase for a few years.

Multiply that out by the number of licenses the DNR sells and they should have a nice chunk of change to play with.

[blakjack23]

It seems like a big increase, but license fees had not gone up in 12 years. So its not bad at all considering that.

I also found out they have a new 3 year fishing license. It only saves you $1 a year, but at least you wouldn't have to bother getting a new license every year. I will be doing the 3 year next year for sure.

[jeffreyd]

70.00 bucks here in AZ for a Family permit includes trout stamp. Throw a 2 pole stamp on and it is 24 bucks more. Then if you want to fish the city lakes, that is a different permit and is 24 dollars a shot plus trout stamp and two pole stamp. Just nuts

[TODDY]

Time to get upon my soap box.

And NR's only got the same increase as us Residents......good grief! When is this state going to wake up and start gouging the NR's like they do to us? Yes, gouging. It's a little tiring of the we'll take the high road approach. Have NR licenses take up any sort of shortcoming for fishing license revenues. $600+ to hunt a deer in Iowa. They love our fish.....

There, I'm off.

TODDY

[eyeguy 54]

600?? sheesh!! they must have gold in dem der racks...

[Yooperguy]

Hey but the spearers went down 8 bucks so at least the angler can pick up their slack.

[Superduty]

As far as I'm concerned, it's not a big deal. At $4.39 a gallon, I'll burn $5 in gas before I even get the truck warmed up.

[laker1]

Got my fishing license this morning. It was $36 for a family license. I thought that seemed high and the cashier said it went up $8 from last year. Seems like quite a hike for one year. I think he said the individual license went up $5. Of course, $8 doesn't break the bank but I expect there won't be another increase for a few years.

Multiply that out by the number of licenses the DNR sells and they should have a nice chunk of change to play with.

Well look at gas and other expenses,the DNR has to buy gas also and without a increase in a very long time,there funds have decreased.

Some wildlife staffs have 50% of the people of 10 years ago. Maybe a couple staff members left. License is dirt cheap. The cost of a couple gallons of gas.

[thatoneguy]

Time to get upon my soap box.

And NR's only got the same increase as us Residents......good grief! When is this state going to wake up and start gouging the NR's like they do to us? Yes, gouging. It's a little tiring of the we'll take the high road approach. Have NR licenses take up any sort of shortcoming for fishing license revenues. $600+ to hunt a deer in Iowa. They love our fish.....

There, I'm off.

TODDY

Gouging? That's funny right there.

[Juan Grande]

I still think the price is very reasonable, I was just surprised they hiked it all at once instead of smaller increases over a few years.

I agree that it's a drop in the bucket compared to fuel costs.

They probably need the extra 5 million (or whatever they're going to make) just to manage Mille Lacs this year.

[SandPoint]

Even in the Bass Forum Yooper ,just so you know spear guys HAVE to buy a fishing license too!

I am not against a fee increase but I am against the massive amount of money the dnr does waste. When is the last time you seen them driving a vehicle older than say 5 years old? Zebra mussel sniffing dogs, steam power washers at boat ramps, Stickers?

And I am not talking about the real enforcement end either, not enough money gets put there.

[laker1]

The DNR is stuck with what is called Field Service,setup many years ago by the Governor and Legislature. Which controls vechile setup for most agencies.

They control when the DNR vechiles are traded in. Maybe with warranties,depreciation,the 5 year trade in is the most cost effective. I don't know. I do know many DNR personnel would prefer to control buying their vechiles and trade in when they desired.I know also most DNR employees would like to get rid of field services.

Many of your wildlife offices have combined areas and thru attrition staff has shrunk drastically in some areas.

Look around we are lucky to have the resource we have and the personnel we have present. Shortfall is when politicians get involved when they may not know what they are talking about and have zero expertise.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

It didnt even phase me when they told me $23 dollars at the register this year. Just made sure they were giving me the correct license.

Its practically nothing when factoring how much I spend a year to chase around a darn fish. Id pay that amount many times over, just dont tell the DNR that...

[thatoneguy]

+1

It's a bargain,for sure.