Just bought my annual self gift! My 2022 fishing license

[Darth-Baiter]

I buy it this time every year!  The anticipation is the same every season. What is in store for me?  Will it be epic?  Will I learn new water, new tricks, maybe meet a new fishing partner?

 

I just bought next years fishing license (price didn’t go up this year, I don’t think) For sure our lakes will be more full, with all this rain. Last year it was not rainy at all.  No giant storm that I remember. We had 2 or 3 already -this year. 
 

my most hopeful spot was a 1/4 mile + kayak drag to get to the water.  Hope it gets closer. It’s chocked full of smallies. (No giants, but numbers are good). Have a great fishing new year people.  Let’s do this!

[GreenPig]

Yes sir. You too. This year for all my trips I plan to have a prefishing trip day to establish a plan then after the actual trip have a post fishing trip day to see if I should've been doing something different. ?

[schplurg]

I didn't realize you could buy them before the year is over as that is when they expire. Cool good to know.

 

I wonder if Cali loses money because of the hard expiration date of Jan 1st? My sister and my Dad both declined to buy a license late in the year because they'd have to buy a new one soon after, so ther's 2 lost purchases. Stupid rule.

[Zippo Guy]

Anyone know for sure when the new 365 day license becomes available? I've asked at bait shops and last week asked our local game warden. No one seems to know. Some didn't even know Newsome signed it into law. I've always bought mine at Christmas time but this past year had a granddaughter turn 16 mid year. Didn't buy her one, she helped out while we fished. Now she has one ready to go and I've promised to take her out with our local guide and friend as soon as he deems it ready to catch lots of fish. 

[Darth-Baiter]

6 minutes ago, Zippo Guy said:

Anyone know for sure when the new 365 day license becomes available? I've asked at bait shops and last week asked our local game warden. No one seems to know. Some didn't even know Newsome signed it into law. I've always bought mine at Christmas time but this past year had a granddaughter turn 16 mid year. Didn't buy her one, she helped out while we fished. Now she has one ready to go and I've promised to take her out with our local guide and friend as soon as he deems it ready to catch lots of fish. 

I was shocked it didn’t happen yet.  

[BBuck]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I was shocked it didn’t happen yet.  

Looks like they have until Jan 1, 2023 to make it a reality. Copied/Pasted straight from the signed bill below. 

 

"This bill would authorize the department, on or before January 1, 2023, to provide an option to display a sport fishing license, validation, report card, or other sport fishing entitlement issued pursuant to the Fish and Game Code or regulations adopted pursuant to this code electronically on a mobile device, except as provided." (Bill Text - AB-817 Sport fishing licenses: electronic display: 12-consecutive-month licenses. (ca.gov)).

[schplurg]

'bout time!

[gim]

What do they charge a resident in Cali for an annual angling license these days?

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What do they charge a resident in Cali for an annual angling license these days?

I just looked it up. Normal fee is $54 - over twice what ours is.

Disabled Vets, recovering military, low income seniors, etc get reduced fees - but for the ordinary Joe (or Mary) that's the cost.

[gim]

12 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I just looked it up. Normal fee is $54 - over twice what ours is.

That’s actually more than 4 times what I pay because I get a conservation license every season for 13 bucks. Pretty dirt cheap to fish for 6 months of fishing if you ask me, and if I ice fished it would be worth even more.

[QED]

On 12/23/2021 at 8:57 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

I buy it this time every year!  [stuff deleted]

Thanks for the reminder!  Will pick one up this week from Fishery Supply in SJ during the holiday break from work.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, QED said:

Thanks for the reminder!  Will pick one up this week from Fishery Supply in SJ during the holiday break from work.

Our license dates are different. Since the walleye/pike/bass season closes the end of February, our license is valid March 1 to February 28(29) of the next calendar year.

[Bird]

VA fishing license is good for 365 days apon purchase date.

All other states that I buy a license is simply a calendar year.....I'll be ready and legal. 

 

[Log Catcher]

They run our license year from March 1st to February 28/29 the following year.

 

A fishing license here is $23.00. I get the seniors license for $12.00. It includes trout stamp, deer, turkey, and other permits.

[schplurg]

Fishing license prices by state:

 

https://hookedinfishing.com/fishing-license-cost-by-state/

 

Good to see Cali is the highest by a good margin. Shocked I tell ya!

 

I'm not going to fish during the winter probably so I guess I can wait as long as possible to get mine since it's good for 356 days now.

[Hammer 4]

Just now, schplurg said:

Fishing license prices by state:

 

https://hookedinfishing.com/fishing-license-cost-by-state/

 

Good to see Cali is the highest by a good margin. Shocked I tell ya!

Yeah, the cost of our lic., is, lets just say Ridiculous. I can remember when the cost was $ 12.00, and wasn't all that long ago. Which reminds me, I need to renew mine..oh, and no discount for seniors either. 

[schplurg]

2 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Yeah, the cost of our lic., is, lets just say Ridiculous. I can remember when the cost was $ 12.00, and wasn't all that long ago. Which reminds me, I need to renew mine..oh, and no discount for seniors either. 

I thought there were senior discounts?

 

And I didn't even use my second rod once this year that I paid extra for! Probably will this year with the new yak/trolling the Delta. But that's what I said last year.

[Hammer 4]

4 minutes ago, schplurg said:

I thought there were senior discounts?

 

And I didn't even use my second rod once this year that I paid extra for! Probably will this year with the new yak/trolling the Delta. But that's what I said last year.

Last year, when I got mine, the only discount you could get as a senior was to buy a Life Time license, I wasn't ready to shell out that kinda coin, and I'm still not ready to pay that much to get a discount. It's like what if I die in 2 years...???

[schplurg]

2 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Last year, when I got mine, the only discount you could get as a senior was to buy a Life Time license, I wasn't ready to shell out that kinda coin, and I'm still not ready to pay that much to get a discount. It's like what if I die in 2 years...???

It's incentive to live as long as possible!

[Hammer 4]

Just now, schplurg said:

It's incentive to live as long as possible!

Yeah, well, I'm trying.

[tander]

6 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

Last year, when I got mine, the only discount you could get as a senior was to buy a Life Time license, I wasn't ready to shell out that kinda coin, and I'm still not ready to pay that much to get a discount. It's like what if I die in 2 years...???

In my state MS, seniors get a great discount, free!!! If you are under 16 or over 65 you pay nothing.

 

[N Florida Mike]

Florida license year starts whenever you buy it. It was low 20’s last year. That’s freshwater. Saltwater is the same again .

Under 16 and over 65 - no license fee. 4 more years and no fee for me!

[Darth-Baiter]

The $54 is the best money I spend all year.  I fish quite often. Zero complaints.  I was fishing 3x a week last spring. 
 

it’s the same for a half tank of fuel. And that feels dirty by comparison. And my career pays better in this state by far. It’s not even a wash. 

[gim]

47 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

The $54 is the best money I spend all year.  I fish quite often. Zero complaints.  I was fishing 3x a week last spring. 

I didn't mean to start an argument or complaint thread about the cost of a license in each state.  I kind of expected Cali to charge more than anyone else since the cost of living and commodities is generally higher there anyways.  Really, the cost/benefit relationship is dependent on how many times you fish in my opinion.  And it sounds like you make it worth while @Darth-Baiter.

 

I kept track of how many times I went fishing each season here.  In 2021 it was 32 times and I paid 13 bucks so per trip I paid about 41 cents to fish each time.  I'm sure some people go a lot more than I do and some people only go once or twice a season.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I kept track of how many times I went fishing each season here.  In 2021 it was 32 times and I paid 13 bucks so per trip I paid about 41 cents to fish each time.  I'm sure some people go a lot more than I do and some people only go once or twice a season.

Last year was a major drag for me. 8 times out, $25 for the base license plus $10 for the trout stamp...so $4.37 per trip for me.