TOPIC:

#1 Only us guys in Indiana want a LM license. IL guys may want an IL/WI license since Northpoint is so close to the line. MI? Who ever heard of a MI based angler leaving a MI port wishing they were licensed in IN, IL or WI? WI? Same as the previous sentence. Now look at the numbers. Without spending hours on the 'net, I'll postulate there are fewer LM anglers from IN than any of the other 3 states.

#2 Say the numbers are all equal. The big money comes from the Dingell/Johnson funds, the excise tax we all pay for fishing gear, collected by the federal government and apportioned back to the states based on a formula that counts the number of fishing license holders and the amount of fishing waters found in each state. So muddling the equation between the states with a "LM license" would affect how much federal aid each state would receive.

One of the responders said "I'd pay $150 for an all LM license... Well that's stupid. If you are from IN you pay $28.75 to fish LM each year. I have a Non Res IL and MI license. One was just under 40 the other just under 70 - do the math!

Well thanks for calling me stupid for just making a point but if I buy MI, Wi, Il and IN $40 IL, $50 Wi, $68 MI, $28 IN Now I know I am stupid but if I add that up it is $186 so it is still saving me $36 but maybe you are using that new math or something. I guess I am not just wealthy enough to think $36 saving would be worth it and if you make it much less than that the states would never all agree. But that is fine - from now on I will just keep my stupid thoughts, options and fishing reports to myself.

Ed - forgot Wisconsin, but I was thinking most guys here on the South End would only purchase IN, IL and MI. That's what the majority would do and they'd be a few bucks better off buying the individual state, rather than the all lake. So pardon me....

The main point of my post is #1) It's not going to happen, #2) Few people other than southenders would purchase any sort of multi state license.

I think Ed's main point was ease of licensing versus the actual cost of it. But yea......it aint ever gonna happen.

Yes the ease of purchasing and even a few bucks saved would be nice. I understand it will never happen but lots of things will never happen that are still worth discussing - if nothing else it passes the time when we can't be fishing.

BNature I understood your points and I did not disagree with them - you said the $$ figure was stupid and to do the math so I was just defending my statement (also its not like I took a bunch of time to figure out a reasonable cost other than knowing what all 4 states cost).

Have a good weekend all.

THE BIG PAIN IN THE BUTT IS WHEN WE GO FISHING IN THE MORNING AND ONE OF THE CHEAP FRIENDS OF MINE SAYS OH I DID NOT KNOW I ALSO NEEDED A X STATE LICENSE AND WE HAVE TO FISH THE LINE WITH THE FISH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE

honda wrote:

THE BIG PAIN IN THE BUTT IS WHEN WE GO FISHING IN THE MORNING AND ONE OF THE CHEAP FRIENDS OF MINE SAYS OH I DID NOT KNOW I ALSO NEEDED A X STATE LICENSE AND WE HAVE TO FISH THE LINE WITH THE FISH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE

I always tell people what states I plan on fishing in and tell them to make sure they have the license AND the salmon stamp (when required). If they do not want to get one then we just go with the number of poles we are allowed without him and limit without them and they are the designated drivers when we are pulling in and netting fish. If you are too cheap to buy a one day license in the states we are fishing - you get a nice day on the boat watching others fish .

I was told if a person is driving the boat they still need a license because that is considered part of the fishing? What are your thoughts on that one.? Rudey

Technically correct. Probably, if you are running the right number of rods you will get away with it. It would never hold up in court, but if the "non"-fisherperson said, "Why don't you try that cute pink and purple lure," and you did, she was assisting the fishing and would need to be licensed. I'm saying she, because only a fem-fisher would opt for a pink and purple lure.

Best bet is to have everyone on board licensed correctly and with smart phones, these days, even if you aren't like us charter guys who have licenses to sell on board, they are available on-line. Just don't check when you are 14 miles offshore and out of cell service range.