IMPORTANT: What would you change about California's fishing license?
 

What would you like to change about California's fishing license? Make it good for 365 days from the date of purchase? Change the age requirement to 18? Discount it for new or lapsed purchasers? Let me know.

I'm sitting on a DFW R3 (recruit, retain, reactivate) stakeholder subcommittee on licensing. We're looking for YOUR ideas. I feel good about this one. It's a chance to get something back from of the department. They really care about this issue too, because if the current trends continue, they will face severe budget shortfalls in the near future.

I'm also happy to answer questions about R3 too, so fire away. If you're wondering how I got pulled back into fisheries politics, it's a long story, but the short version is the work we did together during the MLPA still resonates with the Department. We earned a lot of respect for our engagement.

365
 

From date of purchase.

Would be nice to be able to keep a valid digital copy on your phone.

Thanks guys, good suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

I like the idea of a license being valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.


Here's a total shot in the dark and possibly an unpopular idea...What about something like a reduced fee license available for people on welfare or are receiving food stamps. The idea being to promote an oppurtunity to give those people a chance to get out there and provide for themselves in some fashion for a little less money.

I once read that there was some study that found California fishing licenses cost 75% more compared to all other states, yet we have some of the highest barriers to fishing (i.e. MLPA's and other closed areas) put in place.

If the state was serious about it they would reduce cost, make it 12 months from purchase and take the politics out of fisheries management and leave it to actual real science, not appointed hacks with agendas.

Unfortunately I don't see the socialist government in this state doing any of that...

To add to what Kai is saying, I am not sure I have ever seen an MLPA re-opened? So say some incentives like with a fishery population boost, the re-opening of an area? Something to remind us that we are simply not paying the salaries of those making the rules you know but actually having an impact on the fisheries with that $60 a year fee..

:cheers1:

In my posts over on Facebook, the idea of a 365-day license is overwhelmingly supported. Some background, there are two bills being considered in the legislature. One, IIRC, adds a 20% fee to the current license price for the privilege. The other, SB518, sets the 365-day license at the same price, but requires optional auto renewal. If you don't choose to auto renew, there's an extra 30% fee.

Which of these, if any, do you support?

This is perfect, especially for hardcore anglers that are always licensed. Without reading into the whole bill, I'm 100% into the idea.

I'd be up for an additional recreational license to fish the MPAs. Gladly pay an extra 50-60$ a year. :reel:

Also I've always though that the year from date of purchase was a no-brainer. Would incentivize people to purchase the yearly license throughout the year rather than waiting for January. I don't see the need to raise the fee as you would already have an increase of participants.

if part of the problem is a budget short fall then consider decreasing out of state fees to attract tourist.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

These are my personal ideas and might be controversial but here they go:


#1 I believe having a 365 fishing license is a bad idea, because I already detest fish game invading my plastic bathtub/ checking my vessel for any possible contraband. I literally have had them block me with their 60ft vessel... yell at me from 2 stories up to show them my fishing contract in a demeaning voice.... IM IN A PLASTIC BATHTUB what harm can I do! They also like to stare at you like hawks with binoculars, so that you feel uncomfortable fishing or waiting till your commit a crime on one of their statues.

Having one type of fishing license is easy to distinguish... and the faster Fish and games/ fish and wildlife mafia molests my rights and gets out of my space so I can continue fishing in peace the better. I like to get out and fish to get away from the city... Solitude is good sometimes

#2

What I would not mind paying for... is for fish hatcheries... I want to make sure our money is going to Fish Farms that replenish our ocean fish/fish structures... Trout Farms... And not overly paid Senate Members that have their own agendas....


#3

having a digital copy is a good idea.. but one could easily make one up. The only way to prove that a digital copy is authentic is for fish and game to have a current database where they can prove that you have a fishing contract that is active.... Which most often they are unable to authenticate because there is no signal where we are at....



Since the state has presumed that they have full control of the ocean waters and the fish that dwell on it. I don't feel that a fishing license/contract should be a money making scheme... I feel that fishing population should be protected for many generation after us.



Rules are for the protection of the fish and the fishery... It should not be a money making scheme like traffic tickets.


# 4

This one might be controversial, but it is just an idea..

I do like paying for trusted privileges...

For example: global entry, tsa pre-check...

what about trusted fishing privileges.

Maybe a special color on your Fishing License meaning you obey the laws are a trusted individuals has not committed any violations.... They see that color fishing license.... they don't even bother you... might be far fetched.... a special sticker you can attach to your fishing vessel maybe

but I just put it out there as an idea.


# 5

I know many small countries that do not have fishing licenses/ contacts, but they do enforce the season that fish can be kept. The Fines are heavy and there is jail time. I personally believe there are ways to protect the fish with out making people sign a contract to fish. Granted we are not a small country, we are in fact large cities with huge populations: even more so we should be able to contribute to fish replenishments and habitats for our local fish.

I think I'm way off topic. now..
Anyways not looking to start a war on words... just a fisherman idea on legal issues







This one has nothing to do with Fishing License Contract:

# A I also would like special fishing license plates that specifically contribute to fishing farms and fishing structures for our lakes and oceans. I know we have that fishing whale tale... but I want one strictly for fish replenishment.

I do like the 365 license because there’s plenty of casual fisherman who would probably buy the year license over the 1 say license to not have to hassle with a license every time they go out.
Maybe it would be cool to have an added tally chart on the back for a species of personal preference between a few different fish to better keep an eye on populations and mail in? Similar to lobster cards. (I know I hate mailing my lobster card) but I’d love it if it was an optional feature that can be printed on the back only if you wanted.

One fish limit year round, or a yearly total limit on white seabass.

We used to fish a casual jackpot Jan 1 every year to start the year off right..........I fish about once a week..........a buck a pop ain't too bad.


I am going up to WA next week and spending $60 for 3 of us to fish one day and am not complaining about that either.

A break for us old guys
 

I just became a resident of Colorado and after six months my license is only $1.00 a year. Fishermen 65 and older get a big break. But I will miss the saltwater.

Rodbuster…..

I like the idea of a 365 license, but it would not matter to me personally. The automatic renewal would not be a problem for me either. What I don't want to see is the state trying to generate general fund revenues off of unwarranted fees attached to licenses. I don't see it costing the state 20% more to issue a fishing license on June 14th than it does on Jan 1? The only reason that they are entertaining the ideas is the possibility of increased revenue. They should be happy that more occasional fishermen will opt for the yearly over the short term, if they have a full year left. That is not likely to happen if they charge 20% more.

I'll chime in on this...

First, thanks again Paul for your hard work :you_rock:

1. 365 days from date of purchase.
2. Minimum 10% discount for veterans and seniors, 55 or 65 and older, they already paid their dues.
3. Raise age to 18, instead of 16 to require a license.
4. Any future MLPA meetings be held in the area that they are proposing, i.e., if it's about San Diego, hold it in San Diego, not way up north (some of you know what I mean). Allow those who will be affected to attend.
5. Any future MLPA meetings, the 'esteemed' BRTF pay their lodgings and food. (I know, reaching on that one).
6. Discounts on those who have had licenses renewed yearly, say, 10 year minimum. Or, offer a discount for multi-year purchases.
7. MLPA review with scientific proof, not influenced by non-fishers, yearly. Surely they are already conducting these researches. Not their 5-year rule.

Some good ideas here that I agree with...

Good arguments for both year round and end of year license. How about this. license good until the end of the year but every quarter of the year, the price is reduced.
Also by dropping the price to begin with, more people would consider buying a license. As it stands, every time they raise the price, they sell less licenses. More people buying, higher the revenue.

1. 365

2. A license card you can swipe instead of a 10ft long piece of receipt paper.

3. Or adopt Hawaii's regs... no license required for recreational saltwater fishing. :D

Ya, but if you catch an ono, ahi, or a marlin from a boat, it's theirs...

Marlins are sold to the smokers

I think a 365 day license from date of purchase is long over due, can't tell you how many people I have told that it is not worth buying an annual license when it will only be good for a couple of months. Make non-resident fees substantial, I pay $105 for a two week non-resident AK license. Reinstate the saltwater only license for a reduced fee. Lastly, what did the DFG&W think was going to happen with the creation of MLPA's that have so improved our fishing!

I would not change much but....

On the lobster report card they should allow a longer window for reporting.

I.E. Not issue new cards until September, and you have through August to report your previous season catch. Several times it's slipped my mind and I missed the report deadline.

Another issue is New Years. I like the yearly license, I would like to see a 24 hr grace period. I once got checked after lobster fishing on NYE, and almost got a ticket for not carrying the new license on Jan 1. :cheers1:

Don't get me started. I loved the old paper, hate the new paper which can degrade.:(

What really gets me is the regulation with unclear areas. and its up to you to figure it out.
Example: Lake Crowley Monument, where is it, what is it, (i know but most people don't) a map of closed areas or a special Regulation, easy to read. For the WHOLE state!!!!!!!

2 Cents
 

I would introduce max size limits to keep those big breeders out there making more babies. Say 13-18-inch bass ok to keep, anything bigger or smaller goes back to breed (or whatever some scientist suggests).
I think this would really help the WSB and Halibut populations. Probably better than expensive hatcheries (which I am also happy to pay for).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0102112241.htm

18 age limit is a great idea, become an adult and start paying. Help families fish together.

Pound for pound recreational fisherman spend way more dollars than commercial fisherman. Better fishing equals more participation equals more revenue for the DFG and the economy as a whole. Focus should be on protecting and enhancing recreational fishing.

And to reinforce my first point and some of the other suggestions, let the science dictate the fishing rules.



There is a way to get a discount on current fishing licenses, buy a lifetime license. You will at least not have to worry about future price increases.

You nailed it. With more voices like yours, I feel hope for the future.

They will not vote to cut their source of funds. Bureaucracy does not work like that. They will use every scheme and tax and hidden squeeze of money they can think of to expand, hire more people, do more studies, expand their jurisdiction, have more meetings, drive around, buy more expensive trucks, boats and equipment at exorbitant prices, etc., until they ultimately collapse under their own bloated dead weight. That's the reality of what's happening to us.

Both schemes you mentioned are attempts to increase revenue, no matter how it's spun. We can't be naive about this. They never cut costs. To the people who run our government and rule over us, bloated waste and rampant inefficiency is a luxury of what they do, at the expense of us peasants who are forced to support them.

[emoji106]Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Buying a one year license that is good for 6 months doubles our cost. Neat trick, eh Watt? The people who write deceptive laws like this think they are being clever, then it's rammed down our throats whether we agree or not.

To give us a so-called "privilege" for 20% or 30% more for relief from this scam is just as deceptive and disingenuous.

1. Perhaps a graduated price for lifetime fishing licenses based on the age of the licensee.
2. The plastic (non-paper) licenses are good, perhaps a step further would be something more convenient that can attach to a (rod, PFD, tackle box) so you're more likely to take it with you when you fish on a new platform. For example, moving from my kayak to a boat, if the license attached to a rod or my tackle box, I'd be less likely to forget it...
3. +1 for 365 day license from date of purchase. If Mexico can figure this out, so can we.
4. +1 for digital copy. Forgeries can be prevented if there’s an app on your phone that can digitally sign the license.

I support a license that is good for 365 days from when it is purchased, but no increase in pricing. Change the age to 18 and allow the use of a digital copy also. Increase the fines and jail time on poachers to generate more revenue instead charging more to law abiding fisherman.

What he said


if you can show a digital copy of an insurance card why can't you do the same for your fishing license?


I would also love to see a digital lobster report card and the ability to make purchases for licenses via an app. If you can pay for porn on a smartphone why can't you do the same for a fishing license?

DAMN
 

Like the lobster card idea! Those things are a pain to keep folding up all year long!!:lobster:

P.S. Can the season come any slower HAHAHHAHa

Two things...

1. Good for 365 days.
2. Renewable cards, like a credit card, that can be updated.

Well, maybe three...

3. graduated fees for lifetime license based on age.

There should be a basic fish test before anyone gets a license to kill.
Identify species, laws, bounderies etc. Know before you go?
Kalifornia needs to set the bar hi by raising the cost of a license! $250-$1000.
Kalifornia anglers have the money...how about a kayak angler tax too?
Gotta pay to play.:shot:

:D

jk-
IF i were to get another CA license I would like to see paper and digital accepted:cheers1: