over 65 no more free fishing

[blasted_saber]

Wouldn't you just know it. Just when a whole slew of baby boomers are reaching that magic age of 65,the government pulls this stuff. We might be able to take advantage of it for a couple of more years until this gets enacted,but,the Liberals will get us,sooner or later.

Thats why its being done. Lost license dollars with an aged population on the horizon.

[BIG MAC]

Seems right, that generation fished out every lake they could which caused the introduction of a licensing system to help fund restocking.

JJZ, Take it your not very old or have a lot of knowledge on this subject. it was about 75-80 years ago that this was taking place, sure some of the guys on here older than me , might have pictures of their fathers or uncles with more than 6 bass but I don't. I'm 61, when I started fishing by myself,,,(probably age of 16 ) there where already fishing regulations with opening dates and also limits on what you could keep in place......... So it wasn't OUR GENERATION that caused the problem. and if you think our licensing dollars go into restocking ( yes restocking the provincial government cupboards ). it is nothing more than another TAX on us Taxpayers...

I

[MikePal]

This isn't huge money guys....it's less than $20 a year ( sports + 1/3 of the 3 yr card). Why is it that guys are willing to spend $10K for a boat but quibble over $20 for a licences to fish...

Yes...this will affect me soon....but I have to say, I'm not going to cry in my corn flakes because it will cost me $20 to go fishing....

...especially since the money is going to support the activities of the MNR !!!

proposed changes for 2016:

Ontario Seniors Conservation Fishing Licence; $13.17 plus

Outdoors Card ($9.68)

Ontario Seniors Sports Fishing Licence; $23.11 plus
Outdoors Card ($9.68)

[greatwhite]

Not all the damage was due to over fishing. A great deal was due to acid rain and development. Probably even where JJZ lives development ther probably caused environmental damage. So JJZ you are as much the problem. Think before you speak.

On a slightly different note in NB no fishing license was required untl 1985 but it was free. In 1989 they started charging 5.00 for a license. Licensing was originally brought to see how many were fishing and to get stats.

[seabast]

I'm not too sure why some are complaining for 20$ either! Live changed, there is nothing free and people retired do fish more than most of us..... But it's still a cheap shot.

[rackman]

wow the 65 plus guys cant catch a break

[Pat32rf]

Now just a cotton pickin' minute!
For the better part of my 65 year fishing history I have been doing what I could to make for better fishing. When they brought out the FIRST batch of licenses I bought them for my family. When they were cancelled I still volunteered for steam/lake improvement projects. When they came out with the SECOND batch of licenses my wife refused to buy one just to fish for a few hours twice a year, and finally quit altogether, because she manages the money and we had none to spare.
Now that she is 65 we have dug out her old rod and when we take our 1970 aluminium 12' boat she comes along, maybe three times each summer.
While I haven't held a steady "job" in twenty years ( by choice) I have been paying taxes, both federal and provincial as well as volunteering when needed. For health reasons I don't get out as often as I would like even though I get free fishing both with my handicapped sticker and my "old peoples " card.
Gotta be another scheme from the liberals to steal more of my money!

[manson]

the whole issue in my eyes is the way its being done myself not being that old I would pay more for a license but I want to see some accountability for whats being done eg zone 11 has a limit of 5 brook trout with only one over 12.2inches(31 cm) this regulation is even for stocked lakes and no one is willing to say why

[Goosesniper]

I'm not too sure why some are complaining for 20$ either! Live changed, there is nothing free and people retired do fish more than most of us..... But it's still a cheap shot.

Agreed. But to be expected

[MikePal]

.. So it wasn't OUR GENERATION that caused the problem. and if you think our licensing dollars go into restocking ( yes restocking the provincial government cupboards ). it is nothing more than another TAX on us Taxpayers...

I think your missing the whole point....the MNR activities are largely funded my USER fees..ie, your licences etc....that way it is NOT a tax on taxpayers. Why should those who don't use the outdoors be expected to fund (thru taxation) for us to use the lakes for fishing.

The point is there are not getting enough funds to complete their mandate and are looking at ways to generate more operating capital....and if it's thru making 65+ fisherman pay $20 a yr.....why would anyone whine about it ?