Now that we are at the end of the year I looked at the prices of the fishing license and tags and nearly fell over. For a resident license they want $19.75 and for the tags another $16.50! For the mathematically challenged that is $36.25. For only $7 more I can get a non-resident freshwater license (no tags necessary) in Washington.

What is Oregon doing? Are they trying to ship their anglers across the border? These prices are out of control.

To get a license to cover everything in Washington it is $41.42. An out of state license to cover everything runs around $80.

It works out to about $3.00 a month. Seems reasonable to me.

If I am not mistaken, it is the same as last year.
Still pretty darned cheap entertainment relative to say a night out of dinner and a movie.

Does the price really matter The lure will always be to great to resist at any price!

FJ...out.

Well if the cost keeps going up maybe it will thin the crowds J/k. By the end of the year with what I have in tags and deer and elk tags it runs on up there but it is a choice we all make. No one is making us fish or hunt. Like Spooled said it isnt that much when you look at as a monthly rate. I buy a Wash. and OR one anyway. It is all relevent.

[ 12-30-2001: Message edited by: Firedog ]

I was out picking up some tackle today and was told by the store owner to get next years now the talk is that the cost is going to double soon

The State of Wash. found out a few years ago that there is a limit to what people were willing to spend on a license. Sales fell way off until they rethought the process. They brought the cost of a license in line to what the masses where willing to pay. Now you can get a full freshwater license with all the tags for under $25 with the new surcharges.

I just got my out of state or. license at a cost of $65. Every few years the cost goes up. At some point the loss of sales cost those buying license more and more anglers will opt not to buy thus causing increased rates. It is a vicious cycle.

Since I fish, I pay the price, but at some point the State will have to wake up and realize they are pricing themselves out of business. Washington learned that. How long will it take Oregon???

Giz...

The $43.80 that I posted for an out of state Washington license is for freshwater only, which I believe is what most Oregonians would be using anyway due to the distance from Oregon to Washington saltwater fishing opportunities.

2001 was my first year of salmon/steelhead fishing in many years and I didn't buy my license and tags at the same time, so that would explain why I felt a bit of sticker shock this year as I looked to buying them combined.

Ah well, pass the bullet and some seasoning salt.

Take a look at non-resident guide licenses. They discriminate depending on where you come from. A Washington steelhead guide has to pay 600 bucks (a few years ago) but a Utah guide only had to pay like 200. I think there is some ongoing animosity between the two state governments.

(FYI) I just got my 2002 out of state it was $65.00 for and tag and angling

I buy a Washington Salt tag because I fish out of Ilwaco most of the season. Wind River, Lewis, and washougal for the fresh water. It is more expensive to buy the full tilt washington tag

If you don't like the prices dont fish here. (or there). Maybe, just maybe it will kill off some of the doughballs that tend to show up and we all complain about.

It is cheep entertainment when you think about it. Besides, you think nothing about $100 to $600 dollar rods and reels right

Don't get so bent out of shape yet. When they reach $100 then complain.

"Beetle Juice,Beetle Juice, BeetleJuice!!

When will you guys ever understand what bureaucrats, and their systems are all about?

Each year, more and more money! Each year, less and less product! When will you ever learn? Does the word "resession" ring a bell to any of you?

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: cowlitzfisherman ]

Can I whine too? I live in Mt.
Season Licence in Idaho 86
Gas and Beer 500
Catching Steelhead Priceless
Fishing used to be a poor mans sport and thank god my dad was poor. If I didn't get to fish I'd be a poor man too.

For those of you from out of state, our WA. 2 day licence which covers everything you want to "Fish" for or dig for or crab for is only $8.00 . How can you beat that? Good Fishin` Happy New Year 2002.

Hmmm. Let me see. I pay about $45 for a combo here in Nev. In 10 years here i have caught a grand total of zero steelhead here. Same number for salmon too. We have pulled a few macks from the depths of Tahoe and let me tell you what a fight.... I think a dogfish is more fun to catch maybe not as tastey but more fun. I have tried eating the trout here smoked, marinated, steamed, baked, and nail to a sugarpine board. None are palatable. They taste like a mixture of moss and mud. When I just have to have a fishfix I drive the 6-700 miles and am happy to pay my fees for the chance to fish in the beautiful northwest.

On the plus side for Nevada I do have some rather spectacular chukar hunting,if you like getting laughed at by your quarry as you lay on the hill suffering a coronary. then this could be heaven for you.

What a great country we live in where we have the opportunity to fish and hunt like we do.

Skiing 1 day at Mt. Hood = $50
Money goes to some rich snobs that own the resort.

Fishing all year anywhere in Oregon = $36.25
Money goes to the state to enhance our fishery.

What's the issue?
What am I missing?

Holy Cow that's over a DOLLAR per SALMON.
It costs the state more than a DOLLAR to raise each fish.Woha, you forgot the little things like pers and medical when you looked at the "hatchery" budget.
Salmon TAGS should be at least $ 10 per fish.
If you think you are going to feed your family out of the woods and waters of the Pacific NW you have another thing comming.Reality.You can't buy the fish for that so why should you be allowed to harvest them for less than they are worth ? Perhaps you beleive that the non fishers should pay for your fish ? Your welfare system at work ?

Most of the time you would be happy if your bar tab was only $36.25 and what do get for that? A hangover.Like Desertdog and BILGERAT pointed out we are all blessed that we live in great part of this country were the opportunities exist that we have.