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License proposal favors lake Michigan anglers.Hoosiers who enjoy fishing in Michigan better savor it this year.
If new license fees are approved, it will cost you a lot more in 2014.
License proposal favors lake Michigan anglers.
Gov. Rick Snyder wants the Michigan DNR to reduce its different types of licenses from 227 to 31 and increase its income by raising license fees.
Thats fine. The license structure in Michigan is a bit confusing and its been 17 years since the last increase. DNR officials forecast the plan will raise another $18.1 million for DNR coffers to be used for fish and wildlife projects, including more conservation officers.
But some of the new fees are unfair, especially to non-residents, especially those who dont fish for trout and salmon.
The proposal eliminates non-restricted licenses that currently includes trout and salmon and calls for one all-species license. That means, regardless of whether youre fishing for trout and salmon, youre paying for it.
Whats disturbing most about the proposal is that, while all states ask non-residents to pay more, Michigan a state that touts its fishing in tourism ads is really hitting non-residents hard.
For example, this year Hoosiers can fish for panfish and bass in Michigan with $34 annual license. To fish trout and salmon up there, it is $42. If the plan goes through, youll pay $75 to do either. Residents will pay $25 to fish for whatever they want, which is $3 less than what it currently costs them to fish for trout and salmon and $10 more for those who dont target salmonids.
DNR officials say the price increase puts it in line with neighboring states.
Not for non-residents.
For example, Michiganders who fish in Indiana pay $35 for basic fishing and another $11 for the trout and salmon stamp. Thats $29 less than what Hoosiers will pay to fish Michigan if the proposal goes through. Non-residents who fish Ohio presently pay $35 less while fishing in Illinois is $30.50 less.
In addition, the 24-hour Michigan licenses for both residents and non-residents would jump from $7 to $15. One-day licenses are $9 in Indiana, $11 in Ohio and $5.50 in Illinois.
Michigan tackle dealers near the state line arent happy about the burden the proposal puts on non-residents.
A lot seniors come up here to bluegill fish arent interested in trout and salmon and wont pay $75 for a bluegill license, said Kevin Claire of Lunkers. Separating inland and trout/salmon licenses makes more sense.
Bryan Williams of Trailhead Mercantile in Niles agrees. He says that more than doubling the 24-hour license is out of line.
It will really hurt those businesses near the state line, he said. Not just from the Indiana anglers coming up here, but what about all the people who have cottages and lake houses on all of these lakes? Theyre already paying property taxes on their property and theyre not going to like paying those fees to fish.
Hoosier hunters would take a hit, too. This fall, Indiana deer hunters will pay $138 to hunt in Michigan. In 2014, it could cost $150 for a basic hunting license plus another $20 for an archery permit and another $20 for a doe tag.
While out-of-state hunters pay comparable fees to deer hunt Indiana, the rest of the non-resident licenses proposed for Michigan dont match up with neighboring states.
Non-resident spring turkey licenses will go to $165 (from $69) while waterfowl hunters will pay $150 ($74). Residents will pay $25 and $10, respectively.
Claire says the hunting fees arent bad for residents and non-residents who do a variety of hunting.
If you hunt small game, waterfowl and deer, its not a bad deal for non-residents, he explained. But its not so good for the guys who come to Michigan to hunt one species.
For a thorough breakdown and explanation of the proposal, visit www.michigan.gov.
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Random thoughts after the 2013 Bassmaster Classic:
If B.A.S.S. doesnt go back to Tulsa it would be a shame. What a great venue! Im bettin we will back there within five years.
Despite the 20-degree mornings, thousands of fans turned out at each morning take-off.
Cliff Pace may not be the most exciting guy to win a Classic, but it was no fluke. The dude can catch them and is a very good angler.
It was good to see Jon VanDam have a good rookie Classic. He handled himself well and didnt get rattled by all the distractions.
Kevin VanDam says he was on the winning pattern with his jerkbait, but the lack of wind on days 2 and 3 in the areas he was fishing killed his bite.
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By Louie Stout
JVD asks, Are we back in Michigan?The next time someone tells me I have the greatest job in the world, I will tell him about today.
Imagine climbing out of bed at 3 a.m. then driving drive 90 miles to Grand Lakes O Cherokees with only cameras and notebook in hand.
JVD asks, "Are we back in Michigan?"
Then, at daylight, you go hurdling across a lake at 65 mph in 30-degree temperatures.
And a blinding blizzard.
And a 20 mph east wind.
And you dont get to fish.
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Time to pack the bags for Tulsa - my 34th consecutive trip to a Bassmaster Classic.
The pros began practice there today (Friday), probing Grand Lakes O Cherokees, some 90 miles outside of Tulsa where the weigh-ins will be conducted.
With some nasty weather possible, that trip back and forth from BOK Arena could make things interesting. It was supposed to snow there this weekend but the forecast for tournament days calls for a warming trend (highs in low 50s) through next Thursday.
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Ice fishing has moved into high gear on several Michiana lakes although everyone is still urging caution when moving around.
As much as seven inches is being reported across northern Indiana and parts of southern Michigan as of today (Friday, Jan. 25), but the thickest ice remains on channels, bays and protected areas.
Although its been cold enough and makes ice nightly, the east winds at the forefront of the current cold spell left some of the main lake areas open longer. They have since frozen and become snow covered, so hazardous areas arent easily recognized.