Senate panel considers higher fishing license fees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota Senate committee will hear a new proposal for higher hunting and fishing license fees.

The bill that goes before the Senate natural resources committee Tuesday afternoon raises fees across the board. It would give the Department of Natural Resources some but not all of the increases the agency is seeking.

The one-year resident adult fishing license fee would rise from $17 to $22 under the bill. The DNR is proposing $24. A fishing license for a married couple would rise from $24 to $35, compared with the $40 the DNR is seeking.

But the bill would raise the fee for a resident deer license from $26 to $30, the same as the DNR's proposal.

DNR officials say fisheries, wildlife and enforcement programs face deep cuts without fee increases.

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