Eau Claire (WQOW)- "There is a concern nationally about the drop in the number of licensed fishers," says DNR Spokesperson Ed Culhane.
Fishing license numbers are getting better in Wisconsin. Numbers were good in 2010 when more than 815,000 people registers with the state. But there was a more 105,000 drop in 2011 when only 709,533 registered. Yet in 2012, numbers are up, with less than 800,000 fishermen picking up fishing licenses through Memorial Day.
The DNR says fishing license sales are back on track this year after a down year in 2011 and says part of the reason for the increasing numbers can be traced back to recent actions made by state lawmakers.
People from out-of-state who have never registered for a fishing license in Wisconsin can now get one for roughly half the price. So the annual $50 license now only costs $25. It's a move that not only should encourage tourism, but get more anglers out on the water, including young people, a demographic the DNR is concerned isn't getting the message.
"Becoming a fisherman is a journey," Culhane says. "We do have this age where people are instant gratification, they pick up their smart phone, they can play a game; they can get a kick right away or whatever. Fishing isn't like that. It takes time. We're concerned that there would be a generation that doesn't really have a connection to the outdoors; who doesn't really understand how things work. That would be a great tragedy to continue because we need fishermen."
The DNR says fishing usually picks up when the economy goes down, because it's cheap entertainment and people can save money by eating what they catch, which means a lower bill at the grocery store.
