Its official - Hoosiers will pay more to fish in Michigan next year.
A lot more.
The Michigan House of Representatives have accepted Senate amendments to a fishing/hunting license bill that will go into effect next spring. The governor signed it this week.
While the bill reduces fees somewhat for residents, it more than doubles some non-resident fees.
For example, non-residents would pay $75 for an annual fishing license, $150 for a basic hunting license, and $170 to hunt deer.
Under next years plan there will not be a restricted license. Anglers will be able to fish for all species, including trout and salmon, under one license. The current fee for a non-resident all-species license is $42 while a restricted license is $34 less than half of what it will be next year.
Residents, who paid will pay $25 (was $28) for an all-inclusive fishing license, $10 for a basic hunting license, $15 for trapping and $20 for a deer license. Seniors would see their deer licenses go from $6 to $8 while resident seniors all-species fishing licenses would drop to $10 from $11.20.
Also, a 24-hour fishing license will increase to $10 (was $7) for all anglers while the 72-hour license will go to $30 ($21).
Michigan officials say the new license structure will simplify the former system and raise another $20 million for DNR coffers.
In addition to the new fees, a surcharge of $1 will be added onto the base of each hunting and fishing license with the new money going to a dedicated public awareness fund for marketing, education and outreach to benefit hunting, fishing and trapping. The state will continue to charge $1 for a Sportscard for sportsmen who dont already have one.
While the new fees will raise more money, they will no doubt hurt tourism and non-resident sales, at least temporarily. The structure really hurts Indiana seniors, many of whom fish Michigan lakes during weekdays.
Based upon numerous emails received when the proposal was first announced, several Hoosiers said they would not buy Michigan licenses under the new fee structure. The DNR anticipates that, citing an expected 7 percent drop in license sales initially.
Charts on the new licenses can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnr.