Fishing Licenses , whats the logic?

There used to be an "Opening Day" in ND too like many other states.

 Should have bought the 1,3 or 7 day license if available. Definately something that needs to be changed. 

Ya thats a pretty raw deal. Same goes for the permit to pull my permenent house...bought one december 28 for 20.00 bucks and it expires the first of the year...I will risk the ticket pulling it home.laws needs to be looked at and brought to some ones attention.....

They do this stuff to force you spend more money. its all about make-in a buck ... and I bet these laws were passed by non hunting and fishing people...

Lycanthrope Said:
Anyone have a legitimate reason for fishing licenses NOT being for 12 months from the date of purchase? A friend of mine wanted to go fishing with me last week and she had to pay 10 dollars for a license thats only good for a month! If the purchase date is on the license I dont see why they cant be good for exactly 12 months from the date of purchase. Maybe Im not seeing something, anyone care to enlighten me?

Maybe you should have just bought it for her.  I suspect it's just that there is a "season" even though it currently runs for 12 months.


Let's see, a fishing license good for roughly 30 days.  Provides for 30 days of legal opportunity to fish for $10.  Sounds like a bargain to me.  Pretty sure there are a lot of people who buy an annual fishing license only to get out once a month on average for the full 12 months of the year.


Perhaps we should just put a collection jar at the shoreline and each pay a dollar every time we fish so there's some equity in that those who have more time to fish can pay more over the course of the year?

I bought a sprotman lic. which included a fishing lic.I never went fishing,I WANT A REFUND!!!!!!!! How  petty can some ppl get.It was $10 get over it.

If you read the license dates there is an expiration date.  Like stated it is from when we had opening day.  Just like Lake Darling it was May 1.  It was $10, next time you have to buy a license, don't stop at the burger joint, and you'll never miss it.  It is cheap to hunt and fish in ND.  I believe it is almost double in the surrounding states, but not sure.

Allen Said:

Lycanthrope Said:
Anyone have a legitimate reason for fishing licenses NOT being for 12 months from the date of purchase? A friend of mine wanted to go fishing with me last week and she had to pay 10 dollars for a license thats only good for a month! If the purchase date is on the license I dont see why they cant be good for exactly 12 months from the date of purchase. Maybe Im not seeing something, anyone care to enlighten me?

Maybe you should have just bought it for her.  I suspect it's just that there is a "season" even though it currently runs for 12 months.


Let's see, a fishing license good for roughly 30 days.  Provides for 30 days of legal opportunity to fish for $10.  Sounds like a bargain to me.  Pretty sure there are a lot of people who buy an annual fishing license only to get out once a month on average for the full 12 months of the year.


Perhaps we should just put a collection jar at the shoreline and each pay a dollar every time we fish so there's some equity in that those who have more time to fish can pay more over the course of the year?

Don't you get tired of coming off like a jerk?  Must be the only way you get your rocks off.

kkollman Said:
I bought a sprotman lic. which included a fishing lic.I never went fishing,I WANT A REFUND!!!!!!!! How  petty can some ppl get.It was $10 get over it.

 I understand what you are saying, but the way I look at it, You shouldn't put a price tag on the thing that you like to do.. I am not saying spend $80,000 on a boat by any means but i spend about 120 bucks on licenses for fishing and hunting in ND and MN. I guess it really doens't bother me. 

I don't know about all the other guys but it usually costs me about 60 bucks to drive up to Sakakawea from Bismarck for a day fishing trip. That is what makes me mad.

Complaining about $10 dollars to go fishing??     Some people amaze me.

The price and the term a license is good for "is what it is". Tell me this, your friend bought a $10 license, was the experience being with her and fishing worth $10? I buy licenses for myself and my 3 boys, the experience of being together is worth the cost of the license times a gazillion. I hope she enjoyed herself and I hope you enjoyed the experience as well.

Horsager Said:
There used to be an "Opening Day" in ND too like many other states.

Those were the days before there was a limit on whitebass and  fishing during the spawn run was illegal. 

Maybe hes trying to fill the gap that Jiffy left when he quit jumping on people.

Its not that I cant afford $10, it just doesnt make sense to have all the licenses expire on the same date when there no longer is a "fishing season" per se. It wouldnt take much to make them good for 12 months from the date of purchase, unless Im not seeing the big picture. Maybe we will get lucky enough to get an opinion from the G&F on this topic.

Sure $10 isnt a bad deal (for me) to fish for a month, but what if it was 100, or more. For some people $10 is a lot, depending on their financial situation.

What if all car registrations were given out the same month every year, and then you bought a new car one month before the new registrations came out, do you think its fair to have to pay the full price for only a month of use... Im guessing most people would object...

After'em Said:

Allen Said:

Lycanthrope Said:
Anyone have a legitimate reason for fishing licenses NOT being for 12 months from the date of purchase? A friend of mine wanted to go fishing with me last week and she had to pay 10 dollars for a license thats only good for a month! If the purchase date is on the license I dont see why they cant be good for exactly 12 months from the date of purchase. Maybe Im not seeing something, anyone care to enlighten me?

Maybe you should have just bought it for her.  I suspect it's just that there is a "season" even though it currently runs for 12 months.


Let's see, a fishing license good for roughly 30 days.  Provides for 30 days of legal opportunity to fish for $10.  Sounds like a bargain to me.  Pretty sure there are a lot of people who buy an annual fishing license only to get out once a month on average for the full 12 months of the year.


Perhaps we should just put a collection jar at the shoreline and each pay a dollar every time we fish so there's some equity in that those who have more time to fish can pay more over the course of the year?

Don't you get tired of coming off like a jerk?  Must be the only way you get your rocks off.

I would think it would be somewhat of a logistical nightmare for NDGF.  What to put on the stamp.  What if there are increases slated to start on Mar 1 and some people got a license 1 day before losing revenue for the state....  MN has the same issue.  I have spent 40+ for a license that was good for onlky about 2-3 months; I could have gotten a 3 day, but thought I may go out more only to NOT.  Those days cost me over $20/day.

I have no damn clue what the answer is.

For me, I like that every year it is the same.  I get my license every year each early spring.  I also bought the sportsman and didnt pick up a gun this fall.....  Can I get some refund?

The state just changed the tags that go on our plates every year.  Im pissed because the new ones are smaller and let some of the old one show......  I hate that.  I am one of those guys that almost measures placement of the sticker..