How many states fishing licences do you have?

[slonezp]

All drivers licenses are valid in every state, but because of "lack" of communication/cooporation the validity of such license may differ. You can have a suspension on your DL in a neighboring state for not paying a traffic fine but be driving legaly in the other 49.(Trust me)

You would need universal fishing regulations for the 50 states. Any site specific regs would be a thing of the past. I am willing to bet that the majority of fisherman would never bother picking up and following the DNR regs for each state. Too much work involved.

The interstate and intrastate system of roads are very similar in each state.

The way each individual state supports outdoor activities varies greatly. Here in the state of IL very little money goes into upkeep of the outdoors and state parks compared to our neighboring states. In fact they closed 10 or so parks a couple years ago due to lack of funding. They have since reopened a few. Our DNR staff has also felt the hit. WI and MN put alot more money back into the outdoors and you can really tell the difference between here and there.

All the states would be expected to have somewhat similar "outdoor conditions". That would require states that are lacking now to step up to the rest OR the states that are leading the way to fall back. I'd put my money on the latter.

[Gatorbassman]

The ones that haven't expired yet are Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama

[B-Dozer]

All drivers licenses are valid in every state, but because of "lack" of communication/cooporation the validity of such license may differ. You can have a suspension on your DL in a neighboring state for not paying a traffic fine but be driving legally in the other 49.(Trust me)

You would need universal fishing regulations for the 50 states. Any site specific regs would be a thing of the past. I am willing to bet that the majority of fisherman would never bother picking up and following the DNR regs for each state. Too much work involved.

The interstate and intrastate system of roads are very similar in each state.

The way each individual state supports outdoor activities varies greatly. Here in the state of IL very little money goes into upkeep of the outdoors and state parks compared to our neighboring states. In fact they closed 10 or so parks a couple years ago due to lack of funding. They have since reopened a few. Our DNR staff has also felt the hit. WI and MN put alot more money back into the outdoors and you can really tell the difference between here and there.

All the states would be expected to have somewhat similar "outdoor conditions". That would require states that are lacking now to step up to the rest OR the states that are leading the way to fall back. I'd put my money on the latter.

The states would actually get more money as a result of price increase for a regional license. How they spend their increased revenue would still be up to them. Each state would benefit from money spent on tourism. States rules would not change. No state would loose anything, but would gain by fishermen spending money on their trips.

[slonezp]

All drivers licenses are valid in every state, but because of "lack" of communication/cooporation the validity of such license may differ. You can have a suspension on your DL in a neighboring state for not paying a traffic fine but be driving legally in the other 49.(Trust me)

You would need universal fishing regulations for the 50 states. Any site specific regs would be a thing of the past. I am willing to bet that the majority of fisherman would never bother picking up and following the DNR regs for each state. Too much work involved.

The interstate and intrastate system of roads are very similar in each state.

The way each individual state supports outdoor activities varies greatly. Here in the state of IL very little money goes into upkeep of the outdoors and state parks compared to our neighboring states. In fact they closed 10 or so parks a couple years ago due to lack of funding. They have since reopened a few. Our DNR staff has also felt the hit. WI and MN put alot more money back into the outdoors and you can really tell the difference between here and there.

All the states would be expected to have somewhat similar "outdoor conditions". That would require states that are lacking now to step up to the rest OR the states that are leading the way to fall back. I'd put my money on the latter.

The states would actually get more money as a result of price increase for a regional license. How they spend their increased revenue would still be up to them. Each state would benefit from money spent on tourism. States rules would not change. No state would loose anything, but would gain by fishermen spending money on their trips.

So you're saying that people currently are avoiding traveling to another state to fish because of the 20 or so dollars it cost for a 1 week out of state license. I find that hard to believe.

I pay $13 for an annual resident license in IL and $60 for an annual non resident for WI. If the fee increased for a regional license to lets say $75-$100. I believe many more people would take a chance and poach rather than pay the fee.

You would have to have universal regs. If people no longer have to go to a bait&tackle store, visitors center, or Wallyworld in the state they are visiting to purchase a license, where would they get the local regs from. You assume that all fisherman are ethical. They are not.

[B-Dozer]

No NYS more than doubled, as did Ct. So instead of going to Vt.,Mass., and NYS. I stay and fish in one state. I don't take long vacations in other states, or spend my money there, I do those things locally. You could still opt to buy a home state only license, as far as poaching, people that poach will do it regardless. Same as people that drive w/o a drivers license.

[Bankbeater]

Just Missouri.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't think a national or regional license would be of any benefit towards tourism.  If I were to fish a state other than my own the non resident fee would not be a deterrent.  If the additional license expense is that significant then probably the entire trip would be out of one's budget.

[njbasstracker]

NJ and PA

[Drug Coder]

A regional license would be great!  I live in GA but am less than 10 minutes to TN and about 30 minutes to AL. 

[J Francho]

NY, PA, CT, VA.

[Catt]

Louisiana Fresh/Saltwater, you can launch either on the Texas or Louisiana side of Toledo Bend with either a Texas or Louisiana license.

When traveling I just buy a temporary license far how long I plan on staying

[Lucky Craft Man]

I purchase a yearly licence for PA, NY, OH, and WV and a partial license (i.e., weekly) for MD & DE.

[BASSINATORBIGJOE]

Just Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.....Mike 8-)

[bowfish12]

TN and KY.

[fishfordollars]

I AM AGAINST A NATIONAL LICENSE. WE ALL KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THAT MONEY.

[Raul]

In Mexico if you fish from shore you don 't need a license, if you fish from a boat you need 1 license good for all states. So to answer your question, I have 1 license.

[BadKarma42]

one 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

PA, MD and KY this year.

Here is a thought about the "national license" debate: Start another thread.

That is about as bad a hijack as I have ever seen... :

[ChiCityBasser]

I have a IL and IN license as well as a couple of private/park lake permits as well for IL

[rfrazier]

Oregon and California annually. OR, CA, TN, AZ, NV right now.

[Red Bear]

2 - VA and NC

been contemplating WV as i recently found a nice little spot on the shenandoah, been driving by it on occasion for years and just recently noticed this spot in particular. small mouth were chasing bait fish and busting the surface near the rocks when i checked it out....

[tysondawglee]

GA, AL & AZ

[ShaneK1990]

Just West Virginia but I may get a Virginia license soon.

[lynyrdsky1]

TN, MS, AR and i need to get alabama one since i may be going to wheeler soon

[Dave P]

IN and IL. Probably (hopefully!) a MO later this year.