The state has added a $5 fee for trout fishing licenses this year.
Trout season begins Saturday, April 14, and as the state stocks its fresh water, anglers are finding this year comes with a catch.
“We pay enough already for our licenses,” said fisherman Steve Chiarillo. “It didn’t make much sense to have to throw on a trout stamp.”
The trout stamp, according to the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is a mandatory $5 charge on top of the $28 fishing license.
“It’s easy to get,” said DEEP’s Pete Aarrestad. “You can go online, on your mobile phone, through the online licensing system where the license is purchased anyway. There’s no physical stamp, it’s simply a privilege.”
A privilege that some fishermen worry is disguised as yet another state tax.
“I just hope the money from that five dollars that we contributed goes towards the wildlife fish and game… not to the general fund,” said Chiarillo’s cousin, Bill.
Aarrestad said the fee, which is expected to bring in roughly $500,000, will go directly to conservation efforts within the department. The hope is that it will ultimately give back to the anglers who pay it.
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“We think the $5 fee added to a $28 license is not that bad for an activity you can participate in year around,” said Aarrestad. “And the fishing wouldn’t be anywhere near what it would be [without it].”
But the burden, for North Stonington angler Jim Murray, goes beyond the numbers.
“It’s five bucks this year,” said Murray. “What is it next year?”
Aarrestad said his colleagues at DEEP understand that not everyone knows about the new law, so the department will spend this season educating more than enforcing. Going forward, the fine for any violations is set at $87.
