Fishing License Sales Continue Upward Trend

The Fish and Boat Commission is reporting fishing license sales through August 18 are up 5 percent and overall stamp sales are up 4 percent over the same period from 2008, reinforcing thinking by many that people have returned to fishing as an affordable, family-oriented activity in tough economic times.

The number of licenses sold to date—855,013—has already eclipsed the total yearly sales for each of the last four years and represents the largest one-year percentage increase since 1980.

This year’s sales are the highest since 2004, when more than 909,000 licenses were sold. In 2005, the cost of a license was increased from $16.25 to $21 and sales for that year subsequently dropped to 823,175.

Among license types, resident license sales are up 5.52 percent; non-resident sales are up 3.32 percent; 7-day tourist licenses are up 1.61 percent; and 3-day tourist licenses are up 3.24 percent. Among stamps, trout permits are up 3.76 percent; Lake Erie permits are up 2.98 percent; and Combo permits are up by almost 8 percent.

The good news also extends to boating, where registration renewals are up 5.5 percent from the same period in 2008.

Even if you don't fish, buy a license and support the Fish and Boat Commission's habitat restoration programs.

Buy your license online.