Read in the paper today the cost of fishing is going up again(suprise ,huh?). TPWD will hear discussion until May then enact the charges. Example increase proposed is 49 to 59$ for super combo. They claim its a good deal ???

[This message has been edited by TXSportFisherman (edited 04-06-2003).]

When will they ever claim that it isn't a good deal? I guess that's like saying It'll only hurt for a little while.

I don't have any problem with the increased fees. I believe we benefit from the increases and I believe most of the fee increase goes for improved fish stocking, hatchery remodelling, park/ramp upkeep and maintenance, biological studies, etc. Texas is among the states with the lowest fishing and hunting license costs. We have been spoiled. Just my .02

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Ed Utley

$59 for 365 days of fishing. It is still a good deal.

I DONT AGREE WITH THE INCREASE BUT THEIR GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY.WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS NOW ALOT OF BUSINESES ARE MAKING CUTBACKS AND DOWN SIZING,NOT TO MENTION LAY OFFS.TPW HAS GREAT TIMING TO TALK ABOUT INCREASES,THEY WANT GET MORE PEOPLE INTRESTED IN HUNTING AND FISHING BUT WITH INCREASES I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD LOSE A FEW.LAST TIME I LOOKED YOU COULDNT EVEN APPLY FOR A JOB WITH TPW BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL FROZEN BUT WHEN THEY WANT MORE MONEY THEY JUST SAY ....HECK LET THE HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN BAIL US OUT.......DONT GET ME WRONG I LIKE AND APPRECIATE THE JOB THEY DO BUT WHY AN INCREASE NOW.

Is the price of the regular fishing license going up? I am not a hunter so I don't care what the price of a hunting license is. The regular fishing license fee is $29 right now. What are they proposing that will go to?

Where did you get your facts that Texas has one of the lowest fees in the country.

Keith,
I think the fishing license is 19.00 right now.

Bass,
And per surface acre of publically fishable water, the license fees for Texas, are 40% lower than ANY OTHER STATE

Guys, please understand that the increasd fees, will go strictly towards fishing and hunting related things. Now, those will include state parks and such, but all to be affiliated with parks and outdoor related stuff.
I do not have a problem with them raising the fees a little bit. The did after all cut expenses last year, and tighten the purse strings some what.
That should get the proverbial hive a buzzin !!

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Daniel Cooper
Texas Fishing Forum
Tournament Director
tournaments@texasfishingforum.com

Here's a good comparison. The state of New Hampshire...what, maybe 1/20th the size of Texas? I wonder how many places they have to fish and I wonder how many months of the year they have open water? What do you think their miles of coastal water is compared to Texas?

A resident fishing license there in 2001 was $24.25, in 2002 it increased to $31.00, and in 2003 it increased to $35...just their annual fishing license only!

Good deal in Texas? You betcha. Better fishing programs in Texas? Damn straight. Show me another state besides Texas where you can hit a power plant cooling lake and find redfish. Or a better bass rearing program (Florida and California excluded).

California resident fishing license is $30.70. Florida resident freshwater only fishing license is $13.50 and their combination freshwater/saltwater resident fishing license is $25.50.

TP&W gets no complaint from me. Now city controlled ramp fees...that's a different story. There is where the battle needs to be fought.

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[This message has been edited by redfin (edited 04-03-2003).]

Well, I'll pitch my 2� in here. $59.00 for the Super Combo is still a good deal considering all the stamps you get with it (less than $4.92/mo). I wonder how many here actually buy it over a fishing license. Bet it's less than 50%. So, since all these other state sramps are included how about including the proposed Freshwater Fishing Stamp with the Super Combo? After all it does include the $10 Salt Water Stamp that those guys have to buy.

The proposed boat fees are the same thing. $25.00 a year is cheap! What does it cost you a year to register the trailer? Your truck?

Just out of curiosity, I wonder if the Federal Excise Tax we pay when we buy any fishing or hunting gear goes to the general fund or does it go to the TPWD? Considering the number of licenses bought each year by Texans that the amount of equipment and paraphernalia bought is probably astronomical. I know I do my part!!

I think, though with these increases ought to come a little more accountability. Wasn't the TPWD denied some increases a couple of years ago because they couldn't account for a big chunk of money?



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Daniel,

I must have got a non resident license. I moved back to Texas in Late 2001 So I guess when I bought the 2002 license they had me as a non resident. But that is wrong because I was here for more than 6 months.

I will make sure that they don't overcharge me this time around. By the way, Georgia's fishing license is only $9 for residents.

If you want to talk about expensive. Colorado is the place. Their fishing license is only $20.25 for a resident however their lakes charge $5 to launch your boat. Plus you have to buy a pass for some areas on top of the license. They have one state park that charges $5 entry fee per person plus $6 to launch a boat. That is $11 to fish their little lake.

At least here we can launch a boat on many of our lakes without paying a launch fee. Some lakes you do but at least you have an option.

[This message has been edited by Keithscatch (edited 04-03-2003).]

O.K., may as well put in 2 cents about this situation. I am sure all of us will STILL fish and hunt here in Texas when licenses increase. What I do not like about the situation is, what will go up next, our boat registration fees, license plate fees for trailers, have to buy catfish stamp, carp stamp, crappie stamp, perch stamp, see where I am going with this? I will buy them but not like it. Ron

The article in the Austin American Statesman 4/3 said boat registration is going up too. It also mentioned that when fees go up, they lose approx. 3% in revenue due to fisherpeople just quitting the sport. See the trend here, raise the fee, lose people, charge more to those that participate.
I have to comment that I don't hunt , just fish , so $ towards hunting programs should be funded by those in the sport. Texas Fish and Game reported a few months ago of an additional freshwater stamp with the funds going to remodel a fish hatchery. I find fault with TPWD for not budgeting $ for this program. Did they (TPWD) think that the hatchery would last forever? I believe this is a good example of poor planning on thier part. Compared to other states, we in Texas may have it good now but, in light of fees that are increaseing yearly, this won't last long. My baised $.02 worth.

California resident fishing license is $30.70.

Redfin, Regarding the California fee you forgot to add an extra $3.70 for Striper Stamp, and IF YOU WANT TO FISH WITH TWO RODS YOU HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $9.70!!

TP&W gets no complaint from me. Now city controlled ramp fees...that's a different story. There is where the battle needs to be fought.

I also agree with you concerning the ramp fees. Decker Lake (Austin owned) charges $8.00 to launch on weekends and $5.00 weekdays. I think $8.00 is ridiculous.


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Ed Utley

Think about this....if we make it easy for them to raise the fees.They are going to think WOW that was easy....just like taking candy from a baby....and then they might just feel that they need more $$$ next year or the year after...catch my drift.