Is the price of gas high? In today's economic environment, many people are struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment rates are high but even those within the workforce that have found work have been placed in lower paying jobs than what they previously earned. Some companies hired workers at reduced hours which equates to less income. Companies and business also feel the impact of economic times so they offer less benefits or similar benefits at a higher cost than before. All of these factors make it difficult for diverse groups of people to afford gas prices.
High gas prices are being felt by all social economic backgrounds. Sunrise Bassmasters out of North Branch MN is a fishing club if roughly 16 members. It consists of students, teachers, white and blue collar professionals who meet regularly for friendly club competition. Club president John Moore says, "It's been tough on some of our members. Guided by the invisible hand of gas prices, many of us make changes in our lifestyles to alleviate the high costs. We enjoy travelling throughout the great state of Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. We used to make several trips to a body of water prior to the competition. With today's gas prices many members choose to stay closer to home."

For 2011, gas prices are expected to peak at over $4.00 a gallon. This means that trailering your boat behind your truck 60 – 80 miles could cost you a ½ a tank each way. Your 1 or 2 day fishing trip chalks up to as much as $120 in gas. The high gas prices also affect the local economies we visit. Historically, we may have stopped for lunch, snacks, shopping, or more in any given city. We would stimulate a local economy by utilizing local business. Instead of an overnight multi-night stay, we now make a single day trip.

As a club, we meet soon to discuss what lakes we would like to visit vs what lakes we can afford to visit. There are plenty of lakes within our home area too, but we like to venture out and experience new waters, new places just like many of you.

It is clear that as a club, we will have to re-evaluate what we can or perhaps can't do in 2011. I wonder what 2012 will have in store for us!

So what are your plans for fishing in 2011?