Fishfull Thinking: Modest increase to fishing licenses this year

Have you purchased your 2016-2017 fishing license yet?

As of March 1, you need a new fishing license and you may have noticed the price has gone up.

Not much.

While the required precursory resident conservation license remains at $8, the fee for a resident adult license increased from $18 to $21.

And the biggest change is that seniors and disabled anglers no longer get a free fishing license.

These groups must still purchase a conservation license, but the fishing license is now discounted 50 percent.

Check the regs for current prices on other license categories.

The reason for the price increases is simple.  FWP needs the money.

Several months ago I attended a public hearing where FWP presented its case for needing the fee increases, then listened to public suggestions and comments.

The reasons for need were obviously viewed as valid because there were very few objections. 

One older gentleman brought up the “fixed income” factor and urged FWP to keep the free geezer licenses.

I’m sure he was sincere, but c’mon, a Montana fishing license is one of the best bargains on the planet, regardless of price.

If you check the ages of most ice fishermen and factor in how many hours they spend, 3 bucks more, seriously, is not enough.

Some people at the meeting encouraged FWP to increase the fees even higher.

FWP administrators explained that the department was operating under a 10-year budgeting plan in which the previous fee increase in 2006 was ample for the first few years, just right for the middle years, then not enough for the final years.

Imagine planning your family budget that way. 

Shortening their budget projections to four years or so would provide a more realistic view of revenue and spending.

Increasing the cost of an adult resident fishing license half the cost of a cheap six-pack of beer just doesn’t seem enough for the services Montana fishermen demand.

All fee increases must be approved by the Montana Legislature.