Fishing, hunting fees going up

Like all state agencies these days, the Department of Fish and Game is strapped, and that can mean only one thing: fee hikes. The costs of fishing and hunting licenses are going up in 2004.

One of the biggest jumps comes for saltwater anglers. The ocean-only fishing license, which this year sold for $17.25, is being eliminated, and in its place anglers will have to pay $31.25 for a license good for inland and ocean waters. The one-day license rate will increase from $6.25 to $10. That’s a concern to half-day boat operators, because it seems to target visiting tourists.

Rick Oefinger, 47, owner of Marina del Rey Sportfishing, said he has “a huge problem with the one-day license going to $10. Say some guy brings his wife and two kids over 16 out for a day of fishing. That’s an extra $40 on top of the ticket price, then another $8 to rent rods. Maybe they’ll just go down to the beach and watch the waves instead.”

Hunters will see licenses jump from $29.75 to $31.25, and wild pig-hunting tags, which this year cost $8.75 for a book of five, will be sold separately for $15 apiece.

-- Pete Thomas