Pixabay
Pixabay
The number of state fishing licenses sold in Iowa this year has declined by 13%, but there’s been no change to the number of out-of-state residents licensed to go fishing in the Hawkeye State’s waters.
“Resident license sales are down a little bit more from 2020 to 2021, but our non-resident sales are the second highest they’ve been in 20 years, and I honestly don’t have an explanation for that,” Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources told Radio Iowa.
The department said just around 340,000 have been sold this year.
“It’s so easy to buy your fishing license. Just go to our Go Outdoors Iowa online licensing system. Or visit one of 700 local retailers and bait shops to buy your fishing license today,” the agency relayed via its webpage Fishing Licenses & Laws.
The public has an opportunity to provide its input on the proposed fee for the new lifetime trout fishing license.
Through Oct. 26, the department is accepting comments on the increase from $14.50 to $65, with generated revenues going towards the stocking of state trout streams and urban trout ponds, the Times-Republican reported.
Alerts Sign-up