Wildlife, Fisheries chief: License fee hikes of up to 42 percent needed

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Jack Montoucet, a former state legislator who leads the agency, said the increases are needed to offset a wide range of financial problems, including the loss of $65 million since 2009 because of state budget problems.

Montoucet said the plan, the first of its kind since 2000, would also trim the number of licenses from 117 to 30 and bring charges in line with neighboring states.

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Under Montoucet's proposal, the cost of a basic fishing license for residents would rise from $9.50 to $13.50 for a year. A basic hunting license would go up from $15 to $20.

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Under current rules, freshwater fishermen can get six different licenses, including basic, $9.50; recreational wire nets, $20 and crawfish traps, $15.

Under the proposal, those and others would be listed as a single basic fishing license, $13.50.

Youngsters would be required to have a $5 license if they hunt deer, turkey or take part in any department youth lottery hunt.

A lifetime hunting and fishing license would cost $1,000 for residents and $5,000 for non-residents.

Crab trap fishermen now have three options for a license: basic, $9.50, crab trap license, $15 and saltwater fishing license, $13.

Those would be replaced by a stand alone crab license – $5.

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The charge for a "Sportsman's Paradise" license, which covers hunting and fishing charges, would drop to $90 per year from $100.

Montoucet said that, if the proposed recreational fee hikes win approval, he will seek higher charges for commercial fishing in 2019.

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