You Get What Ya Need

Starting next year, Wisconsin residents and non-residents who want to give fishing a try will be able to buy a low-fee license good for just one day, following the passage of legislation authored by State Sen. Jim Holperin (D – Eagle River).

“Right now, Wisconsinites who want to fish have only one option…the annual license for $20,” Holperin said. “Next year however, state anglers will be able to buy a one day tag for only $8. Non-residents will be able to choose a new one day license for $10, or the current 4 day permit for $24, or an annual tag for $50.”

The 12th District lawmaker said adjacent tourism states like Michigan and Minnesota both feature single day licenses and said the Badger state needs to offer similar choice and convenience to visitors. “Wisconsin needs to stay competitive by offering people what they want,” he said.

However, Holperin said he viewed the new one-day fishing option as an experiment, since it amounts to a fee reduction that could mean significant loss of license revenue to the state’s fish and game account of the Conservation Fund.

“The last time this state offered a one-day fishing license was from 1988 to 1992,” Holperin explained. “That experience showed the one day option didn’t attract many new anglers at all. Rather, fishermen chose the one day tag instead of an annual or 4-day tag and the state lost a ton of license revenue.”

Based on the experience 20 years ago, the Department of Natural Resources is forecasting almost a half million dollars less in license revenue when the one day permits go on sale in 2011. However, to minimize revenue loss, the new law will let one-day license holders who “upgrade” to a four-day or annual permit get full credit for the license money they’ve already spent, a feature not previously allowed.

“The one day fishing license is a big risk,” Holperin acknowledged. “On the one hand it should help our tourism and fishing economies by encouraging more people to give angling a try. This will result in more equipment sales, boat rentals and work for fishing guides.”

The downside, though, could be less license revenue which is used for stocking, public landing and habitat improvements, and other fishing programs.”

Holperin said he was looking forward to monitoring the first year of the one day fishing license experiment and was prepared to offer modifications to license fees if the revenue drop is too severe.

I have been talking to members of our nearby conservation congress so glad that others agree on this improvment.