Almanac: Fishing license sales fall despite state's campaign

Minnesota launched an ambitious advertising campaign last spring to try to stem the shrinking percentage of Minnesotans who fish.

The ad blitz included direct mail, electronic billboards and radio ads that tried to lure people back to angling for the May opener.

But despite that effort, fishing license sales are down this year.

Sales through last week for resident and nonresident fishing licenses totaled about 902,000, down more than 38,000 -- about 4 percent -- from the same time last year. However, 2007 saw the highest license sales in the past five years.

This year's fishing license sales are down 1.1 percent from 2004.

Resident fishing licenses totaled 736,208 so far this year, or about 25,000 fewer than July 2007. And nonresident license sales -- 136,810 -- are down 8.5 percent from last year, and 7.5 percent from 2004.

Officials don't know if the decline is because of the slowing economy or high gas prices -- or just a continued erosion caused by youngsters choosing TVs, home gaming systems, computers or home theaters over fishing.

The number of Minnesotans who fish has been relatively steady over the years -- estimated at about 1 million, including youths under 16 who don't need fishing licenses. But as the state's population has grown, the percentage who fish has fallen, from 39 percent in 1988 to 29 percent in 2006.

But the trend -- and the decline this year of fishing license sales -- is frustrating to the DNR, especially given the department's spring advertising campaign and other programs that target young anglers.

"It shows us that it's going to be a difficult problem to try to figure out," Martinson said.

Meanwhile, in a sign that likely reflects the faltering economy, high gas prices and slow boat sales, new boat registrations are down 15 percent from last year. Some 22,050 new boats have been registered so far this year, compared to nearly 25,988 at this time last year and 26,631 in 2006.

The Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Foundation and other conservation groups supporting an amendment that would raise the state sales tax and dedicate the funds for natural resources and the arts is planning a "sportsman's bash" at Paradise Cove Marina at Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Red Wing.

The constitutional amendment, if approved by voters in November, would raise the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent. That would raise about $270 million annually for 25 years. About 33 percent would go to improve fish and wildlife habitat, 33 percent would go to clean up Minnesota's lakes and rivers, 19.75 percent would go for the arts and cultural heritage and 14.25 percent would go to parks and trails.

The amendment is opposed by the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.

Wildlife artists can submit entries for Minnesota's first walleye stamp, which will be available to anglers when they buy a 2009 fishing license. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a law creating the voluntary walleye stamp, which will add $5 to the cost of a 2009 fishing license if an angler chooses to purchase the stamp.

Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to walleye stocking and directly related activities. Entries for the walleye stamp design will be accepted from Oct. 13 to 24.

• John Schroers, an avid waterfowler, conservation activist and longtime leader with the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Association, has been named president of the Minnesota Waterfowl Association. Schroers, 54, of Shakopee, also is a longtime MWA member. He replaces Bill Kemp, who didn't run for reelection.

• A couple of anglers told conservation officer Matt Loftness of Marshall that they had caught some nice crappies earlier in the day on the Minnesota River. Loftness was skeptical and asked to see their fish. "Turned out the crappies were actually sheephead!" Loftness reported.