Representative Joan Ballweg wants to allow would-be fishing enthusiasts to buy a one-day license. The Republican from Markesan says some business owners watch potential customers decide not to buy tackle and bait because of they only want to fish for one day but a multi-day license is required.

Ballweg says those are the very folks she is trying to cater to with the one-day fishing license. She says anglers who normally buy an annual license will continue to do so, but under this proposal (AB-577) their visiting friends can tag along and get their feet wet.

The DNR says they would lose money as buyers of four-day licenses would opt for the cheaper one-day license, but Paul Heinen, a legislative liaison for the DNR, says the agency won’t stand in the way of hooking new anglers, if that’s what the lawmakers decide.

The DNR issues various fishing licenses including resident, nonresident, annual, 15-day, four-day, youth, and senior citizens. Ballweg says a one-day license would help recreational tourism in Wisconsin.

NOTE: The bill would create a one-day fishing license for both residents and non-residents. Also, if a person who holds a one-day fishing license decides to purchase an annual license during the same year for which the one-day license is valid, he may apply the cost of the one-day license to the yearly one. The Assembly Committee on Fish and Wildlife held a public hearing on this measure Tuesday.

Jackie Johnson 1:45

fishing1va010710

Share the News