Outdoors with Don Q: A reminder you will need a new California fishing license

This is a reminder that if you are planning to fish in the State of California in 2015, be aware that you will need a new license as of Jan. 1, 2015. You can purchase that license and any applicable stamps at a number of local outlets or on the Internet.
If you need to buy a license and stamps, here is some info:

Annual Non-Resident Licenses:
The 2015 non-resident annual fishing license is $126.36, and it is good through December 31, 2015.
Wow! $126.36 for an annual fishing license! Geez, I can remember years ago, I was complaining when that annual license cost went up to $35.00.
Sigh, those were the good old days, I just didn't know it!

Daily Licenses:
A one-day resident or non-resident license is $15.12.
A two-day resident or non-resident license is $23.50.
A ten-day non-resident license is $47.01
Second-Rod Stamp:$14.61.
This Second-Rod stamp allows an angler to fish with two rods or lines in inland waters, except for waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used.
Colorado River Stamp:
Discontinued.

Abalone Report Card: $22.42.
This card is required for all persons taking abalone from ocean waters north of the center of the mouth of San Francisco Bay, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, persons who are fishing from a public pier and persons who are fishing on free fishing days. Only one Abalone Report Card may be issued per person each license year.

North Coast Salmon Report Card: $6.22.
This card is required for all anglers taking salmon in the Smith River System or Klamath-Trinity River System, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on free fishing days.

Steelhead Report Card: $7.05.
This card is required to fish for steelhead in inland waters, including persons who are not required to have a sport fishing license, such as persons who are under 16 years of age, and persons who are fishing on free fishing days.

License agent outlets:
California fishing licenses and stamps are available at a number of local outlets which include the following:
Carson City:
Big 5 Sporting Goods Store No. 432
Sportsman's Warehouse No. 229
Wal-Mart No. 3408 - 3200 Market Street
Wal-Mart No. 1648 – 3770 South 395 Highway
Douglas County:
Big 5 Sporting Goods Store No. 360
Raley’s Market No. 109
Topaz Lodge at Topaz Lake
To purchase your licenses, stamps and cards online:
Go to www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales.
That’s the where Elaine and I purchase our licenses. It’s easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Finally:
Each year when I purchase my California fishing license, I accept that ever-increasing cost (up to 5 percent per year) as a way of life, without complaining. It's too darn bad the Nevada Department of Wildlife does not do the same with their licenses and stamps. They wait for years and years to finally raise their prices and then flinch when all of the old geezers and the tightwads loudly complain about the big increase. Oh well!

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you when the Nevada fishing license year begins in 2014.
If he grins and says, “The Nevada fishing license year is way different from California. It begins on March 1, 2015,” he is someone who has bought a fishing license in both states.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They live in Carson City and can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.