Richard Zimmer: “I have just introduced legislation instructing the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study the…”

“I have just introduced legislation instructing the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study the feasibility of a national angler's license. Currently, anglers who fish along State borders must purchase more than one license to enjoy a day on the water. Vacationing fishermen often cannot afford to buy a license for every State in which they would like to fish. A constituent of mine named Arnold Ropeik has suggested a common sense solution to this problem, a national angler's license. National license holders would be able to pay one fee to fish anywhere in the United States. Proceeds would be allocated so that no State would lose revenue. The goal of my legislation is to make fishing as accessible as possible to both veteran anglers and new fishermen. This will result in more conservation funding, more private sector revenues from travel and tourism and more Americans enjoying the pleasures of fishing throughout this beautiful Nation.”