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Spring is the season when many anglers buy their Ohio fishing license to ensure they are properly authorized to fish for their favorite species across our state.
While licenses these days expire 12 months after their purchase, many anglers follow tradition and buy theirs in March, just as they did for decades under the former system when licenses expired Feb. 28.
A fishing license is required to fish in Ohio's public waters. Ohio resident fishing licenses cost $25 and are valid for one year from date of purchase.
Fishing licenses (and hunting licenses) are important for Ohio's fish and other wildlife. The license itself is just a piece of paper, but it represents your investment in Ohio Division of Wildlife programs.
An Ohio Department of Natural Resources news release last week reported the Ohio Division of Wildlife manages or assists in managing more than 2 million acres of water and 750,000 acres of wildlife lands.
License sales revenue is combined with excise taxes collected on the sales of hunting and fishing equipment and used to fund Ohio's fish and wildlife management and habitat conservation.
Activities supported by the revenue include the Division of Wildlife's annual netting of Mosquito Lake walleyes to gather eggs and milt to be combined right at the boat ramp. Fertilized eggs are transported to a hatchery where they hatch in ideal conditions to produce fry.
When the fish reach the right size, they are stocked in Ohio's waters where the walleye have a difficult time completing their spawning successfully.
Ohio's super steelhead fishery also is made possible thanks to fishing license revenue.
Habitat projects, both aquatic and terrestrial, also are funded by license and excise tax monies.
"All Ohioans have the chance to support the management of fish and wildlife populations, and the vital habitats that sustain them, through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses," said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Whecker. "Thank you for buying a license this year and contributing to the important conservation work under way in the Buckeye State."
Don't be caught on the water with an expired license or no license at all. You can be ticketed.
So before heading out to lakes and rivers this spring, check the expiration date on your fishing license. If yours is expired, renew it online at wildohio.gov or through the HuntFish OH app. You will have an option for automatic renewal when purchasing online or through the smartphone app.
If you enjoy fishing in Ohio, the $25 is a pretty reasonable investment in clean water, abundant habitat and healthy populations of game and panfish species.
Jack Wollitz's book, "The Common Angler," dives into the experiences that combine to make fishing a passion for so many people. He likes emails from readers. Send a note to jackbbaass@gmail.com.