REGIONAL—As anglers head out on the water for the 2020 fishing opener, they may well find more company out there than in some recent years. According to data from the state’s Department of Natural Resources, fishing license sales are up this year. In fact, they’re way up— a total of 48 percent over sales at this same time last year. “That’s great news!” said Jenifer Wical, spokesperson for the DNR’s fish and wildlife division.
The sales this year have dramatically reversed a long-term trend of declining sales for both hunting and fishing licenses in Minnesota. It’s also consistent with hunting license sales so far this year, which have also been on the rise.
While it’s tough to know for sure why Minnesotans appear to be more interested in outdoor pursuits, Ely-area conservation officer Anthony Bermel said he thinks the current response to the COVID-19 pandemic is playing a role, since people are increasingly feeling cooped up at home. “I think right now, people are looking for any excuse to get outside,” said Bermel.
The increase is also partly due to the fact that license sales in 2019 were the lowest in nearly 20 years. Wical notes that cold and wet springs can discourage folks from purchasing fishing licenses early in the season. She notes that 2019 was exceptionally wet, with a lot of flooding that likely discouraged the fair-weather anglers.
But Wical doesn’t dispute that the current unusual circumstances may be playing a role. “The opportunity to still get out during social distancing is wonderful,” she said.
If you haven’t already purchased your license, the DNR is reminding the public that you can buy your license online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense. You’ll be sent a text or email with your license, which you can save to your phone or print at home.