It”s that time of the year when fishermen need to purchase a new fishing license. Like the cost of everything else, a new license will put a bigger dent in the pocketbook.
In 2007, the basic license will cost $37.30 and that doesn”t include the various stamps. For example, a second-rod stamp costs $11.55 and a steelhead report card costs an additional $5.80. If you plan on going after abalone, it will cost you $17.85 for a special punch card.
California has one of the highest fishing license fees in the nation and many fishermen are complaining they receive very little service from the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for those exorbitant fees. Take Clear Lake for example. We have the largest natural lake in the state, one that features a world-famous bass fishery, yet rarely does a DFG biologist visit the lake.
Despite paying a lot of money for fishing and hunting licenses, our game wardens are some of the worst paid of all law enforcement officers in the state. My suggestion is take a good portion of the license fee increase and give those wardens a much-deserved pay raise.
The other gripe a lot of senior citizens have is that the state doesn”t offer our seniors a reduced fee on the their licenses as other states do. The only break a senior citizen gets if he/she is low income. As one senior recently told me, “I have paid for a fishing and hunting license for more than 50 years and it”s time the state gave me a break.”
However, the DFG does give a break to low-income seniors and a few qualified veterans and other citizens. For those who fall into those categories, a fishing license costs only $5.50 and in some cases it may even be free.
A reduced-fee license can be purchased by any person 65 years of age or older who is a resident of California and whose total monthly income from all sources does not exceed the income levels listed below. Income verification from your Social Security office is required.
1) $836 for single persons, or
2) $1,472 for married persons (combined income).
C) Any honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or more. Proof of eligibility from the United States Veterans Administration or a copy of last year”s license is required.
The following persons can obtain a free fishing license if they have a central vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the aid of the best possible correcting glasses, or central vision acuity better than 20/200 if the widest diameter of the remaining visual field is no greater than 20 degrees. Certification of blindness by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is required.
b) Any person who is a resident of California and who is so severely physically disabled as to be permanently unable to move from place to place without the aid of a wheelchair, walker, forearm crutches or a comparable mobility-related device. Verification by a licensed physician or a copy of the previous year”s free fishing license is required.
Also eligible for a free fishing license is any American Indian or lineal descendant who is a resident of California and whose total annual income does not exceed $9,800 for the head of the household, plus $3,400 for each additional family member living with them. Certification by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A.) or proof of being on a tribal registry is required. Verification of income on Form FG371 is required.
b) Any developmentally disabled person can receive a free fishing license.
Certification by the person in charge of the regional center or a licensed physician is required.
To request an application for a free or reduced license, call (916) 928-8322. You can also go online and email LRB@dfg.ca.gov. Give your name and mailing address and you will be sent an application. After you fill out and mail the application with the $5.50 fee, you will receive your license in about two weeks.
For those who only plan to fish only one or two days a year, you can buy a one-day license for $12 or a two-day license for $18.75.
The DFG also allows individuals to purchase a lifetime fishing license. The lifetime license fee for persons aged 0-9 years is $414.75; 10-39 years is $681.75; 40-61 years is $613.50; and 62 years and older it”s $414.75.
All fishermen 16 years and older are required to have a 2007 fishing license starting on Jan. 1. There is no grace period and if you”re cited for not having one it could cost you up to $400 in fines.
