Al Lindner on the Proposed MN Fishing License Increase

How would you react to a $3.00 increase in the cost of your next fishing license? That's what's being proposed right now in Minnesota, and needless to say, it's been widely debated by those in favor and those against. Here's Al's take.

[StormLaker]

What about Non resident angler fees??? A lot of people have abandoned MN, to go fish in the Dakotas, or are skipping the state altogether and going to Canada because of how we are treated as non-residents. I'll gladly come up to the Boundary Waters and spend my money there, but the old days of the mom and pop resort seem to be done for in the affordability department....and that's sad.

[TheOregonOutlaw]

Holy Moly . ..
Just looked at the list of MN charges for Non-res & Resident folks! You guys nit pick and divide the sport of fishing so thoroughly it's a minefield for those not familiar!
Only ONE rod may be used WHY? Sportsmen spend a good buck for shelters - then get slapped with a FEE to use them TOO? Yet they allow Gill Nets and force licensed anglers to pay for walleye they can't even fish for! Changes....they should be made! IMO

[Yogangster]

Perhaps if we saw actual changes being made we'd be more for it. I'm from the southern portion of the state, but to be honest it's fairly poor fishing down here on most days. Some of the regulations seem excessive, and the whole 1 rod rule sucks honestly. I would not mind paying 3 more dollars if I could use 2 rods, and actually see an improvement in our waters, especially down south. When my buddy and I go fishing we're always carrying plastic bags because people leave behind so much trash and fishing lines, it's gross. I'm sure some of the money could be allocated to helping keep our waters free from debris.

[bobbymonetti]

I agree with Gabe. Where's the money really going? Probably into general funding and with sportsman footing the bill and not benefiting.

[kyleUT]

A resident license in Ohio is $19. Other than Lake Erie, the fishing is average at best. I'd pay another $3 for Minnesota-like fishing opportunities.

[bja]

I don't care personally because I have the lifetime license. BUT I do think it's a joke cuz nothing ever changes just fees go up. I'm in southern mn and my option is fishing sucks down here. Like the dnr don't get enough from critical habitat plate fees donations all the registration fees etc. how about they tidy up some public boat launches stock more lakes etc. maybe if I see a positive change I'd be more optimistic.

[maryvang]

I spend my money to fish and eat the whole fish I catch, but seeing people who fish and fillet walleyes crappies sunnys than throw the rest of the fish away is such of waste of life and time and such a shame! like they say everything has a value why waste something so valuable to us fisherman likes to eat the whole fish and when seeing people waste fish and just fillet and throw away such a shame and disgrace to our fishery we fish everyday! this is why fish get wasted, really such of waste of a fishes life

[simms]

Quality fishing starts with clean water. Where were the Lindner boys when the buffer law was being debated? A few acres of farmland sacrificed to help keep your creeks, streams and rivers healthier would go a long way to providing higher quality habitat for those fish that you seek. I never saw the same interest from these high profile Minnesotans for that cause and so its status quo, farmers are allowed to continue polluting the water and degrading the land, all in the name of a few dollars.

[danlarson]

We are already able to fish for them while they are spawning due to the season extending. A lot of the bass are still spawning at that time. I am not sure if this is a test to see if it is going to have an affect on the population or not. What I am talking about is opening a catch and release season pre spawn. I'm not trying to argue, I am just trying to make the point that many other states that have great fishing don't have a season at least on the bass. I'm not as concerned about opening up a catch and release season for the walleye do to the fact that most people keep them throughout the year; very few people keep bass.

[danlarson]

It's hard to want to pay more money when alot of the laws here suck. For example, the seasons on the fish. Although, the dnr did take a step in the right direction by opening up the catch and release season on the bass. It should be catch and release on all the larger game fish before the seasons open when you are able to keep them. The anglers are missing out on alot of time they could be on the water to chase there favorite species. I feel if we had at least that option for anglers, they would be willing to pay even more than 3 extra dollars for the licence.

[TheMinimalistFisherman]

I just wanted to chime in and say kudos to you for making this video on an unpopular topic. I live in IL and I would pay hundreds of dollars to have the kind of fishing that MN enjoys. (Different climate, conditions, etc., I know - I'm just saying).

Hopefully if people are upset about the increase they become more active and follow their local DNR to see what all they actually do. Again, kudos.

[fisherman]

And the Natives just net fish. Gotta love it...

[Slowfinger]

I feel the 3 dollars is a small price to pay for the level of fisheries that we have in MN. However, I do not agree with having so many restrictions either. I've seen other states that have just as good of fishing with less restrictions, so there isn't an argument there to a certain degree. Like some of the others say, I'd like to know how that money is going to be allocated. I think that is most important.

[stevesellnow]

WE ARE ADVISED THAT A License increase of $3 is a scoop of minnows according to DNR commissioner Landwehr. I say increases of 10 to 20 % ($3.00 for fishing) in MN licenses and other fees for boats, rv's snowmoblies...ect; COMES TO OVER $10 Million a year in ADDITIONAL revenue. That's a lot of minnows Mr. Commissioner!!

[Oreokato]

While I enjoy your show very much I disagree with you and all the others comments that "its only $3.00". The point is, IMHO, the DNR needs to really do an overhaul of their entire tax payor operation. Now $3 will not make much of a difference for almost all in the big seem of things but we are now known as the land of 10, 000 rules and regulations with the quality of fishing going down as other neighboring state quality goes up. I would like to see a comparison of number or $ spent strictly on improving fishing by the MN DNR VS ND and SD Game and fish departments per angler license.
Another thought....why not cut a ton of expenses for the MN DNR and spend the savings on stocking more fish?

[Eaglesfan]

as an out of state fisher from iowa id say im good if they raised it 3 bucks. Fishing is great there and honestly most wouldn't have even noticed the price change if he wouldn't have made this video.

[carguymike]

I agree. Anything to help our rivers and streams.

[gregoryjamesaustin]

Al is a credit to the sport. A class act all the way.

[PapaBlastoise]

BTW just curious in the state of MN has your fishing got better or worse since the last price increase or has it stayed the same ? Until the state thinks about making a state min size limit on walleyes on all lakes with even the thought of lowering limits to 4 eyes daily I just don't see it getting that much better.

[hydrophilic]

Explain how the money is going to be allocated, and how it will benefit us as anglers. I feel like this was a very vague video. You spoke on WHY for a few seconds with no substance. Also, it's not just $.50 a day if you fish 6 days, you have to include the rest of the cost of the license. I appreciate what you've done for fishing, but if you really stand behind this, than you will give a more in depth explanation. Thanks.