TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly on Friday passed a bill that expands the eligibility for discounted fishing licenses. Assemblyman Parker Space, the minority co-chairman of the New Jersey Angling, Hunting, and Conservation Caucus and a lifelong sportsman, led the effort to promote New Jersey’s freshwater fishing in its scenic lakes, rivers and streams.
Space’s bill (A5227) will expand the scope of the reduced license fee to include returning and new anglers, by allowing the fishing buddy license to be acquired by someone who has not acquired a license in the previous five years, on a rolling basis. Under current law, the discounted fishing buddy license is available to anyone who did not obtain a fishing license after 2010.
“Whether ice fishing in the dead of winter or casting a line on a warm summer day, our lakes and rivers are filled year-round with a variety of fish from trout to bass to pickerel,” said Space (R-Sussex). “Fishing is a great way to relax, meet new people and enjoy our state’s beautiful parks and reservoirs. This measure will hopefully entice more residents and visitors to enjoy one of New Jersey’s favorite pastimes.”
Residents and nonresidents pay $11.75 and $17.50 for annual licensing fees and issuance charges.
“We hope to lure more residents to get hooked on fishing,” Space said. “The original fishing buddy license law I sponsored eight years ago was a huge success, so why not build upon it?”