Towards Program Self-Sustainability, The Role of an Urban Fishing License

Author: Eric Swanson

Since 1985 the Arizona Urban Fishing Program has been self-supporting through revenues from the sale of Urban Fishing licenses and partnership fees assessed to each participating municipality.  In 2006, the Arizona Game and Fish Department sold 35,900 of the $16 licenses.  Over 70% of the licensed urban anglers did not fish in any other Arizona sport fisheries during the year.  The 11 participating municipalities were assessed fees, based on lake surface acreage, for a total of $125,800 for fiscal year 2005-06.  The annual Program budget is $720,000 with 70% allocated to the purchase of catchable catfish, trout and sunfish from private fish suppliers and 25% for three staff positions.  License sales have steadily increased over the years and have continued to support expansion of a Program that now includes 20 waters ranging in size from 2.7-25 surface acres.  Program participants generate nearly 600,000 angler days for a direct economic impact of $6 million annually.