It's time for a Trout Stamp

Minnesota Trout and Salmon Stamp - 1982

In 1977, Wisconsin offered outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to financially support the development and restoration of sustainable trout habitat through the purchase of a trout stamp.  In 1982, Minnesota followed suit with a similar program that is still in operation today.  In fact, 24 out of the 50 states have an available stamp for residents and nonresidents to purchase (in many states it's mandatory) that will support trout stocking and habitat efforts.  Those states and the costs of their respective stamps are listed below.  The resident price is first followed by the nonresident price for each.

Alaska (King Salmon Stamp) - $10

Arkansas - $5/$12

Colorado (Habitat Stamp) - $10

Delaware - $4.20/$6.20

Georgia - $5/$20

Illinois - $6.50

Indiana - $11

Iowa - $12.50/$15

Kansas - $12.50

Kentucky - $10

Maryland - $5/$10

Minnesota - $10

Missouri - $7

Montana (conservation license) - $10

Nevada - $10

New Jersey - $10.50/$20

North Carolina - $13

Pennsylvania - $9.70

Rhode Island - $5.50

Tennessee - $18

Texas (Freshwater Stamp) - $5

Virginia (also lifetime stamp option based on age) - $23

West Virginia - $10/$16

Wisconsin - $10

First of all, congrats to all of these states for taking measures to ensure funding exists for essential habitat projects.  I've had many conversations about stream restoration, habitat development and conservation education projects, and the number one reason for few of them making progress is lack of funding.  Many of the states above are solely using their funds for sustaining a fishable population of trout in an area where they would otherwise not exist.  That's not necessary in South Dakota.

I'm not going to be a homer and pretend our trout fishery is the best in the country, because it's not.  Do we have a sustainable trout population?  Yes we do.  Do we have opportunities to catch trophy trout?  Oh ya!  Do we stock specific waterways to ensure catch rates continue to be high?  We do that too.  We have a little bit of everything in South Dakota, but why not make everything better?  We have boots on the ground and great people passionate about making a difference.  If we only had the money (and a prioritized list of projects that would strengthen our fisheries system and create an overall better ecosystem for fish and fishing enthusiast).  Let's start with a trout stamp.

Through July of this year, GFP had reported selling 115,375 resident and nonresident fishing licenses.  That doesn't even include the 43,176 adult and senior combination licenses sold.  So I'll punch 160,000 into the calculator to make it easy.  In order for this to gain any traction, a mandatory stamp must be offered to license holders who indicate an intention to pursue trout during the license validation period.  For them, a $5 stamp (or $10) will be required to fish.  Without researching the proper data, I'll guess 25% will pursue, or plan to pursue, trout with their license.  That would be 40,000 outdoor enthusiasts chipping in an extra $5 ($200,000 for you playing at home) each year for habitat conservation, restoration and stocking programs.  It's not a lot, but it's a start.  And these are funds that would not have made an impact otherwise.  So, SDGFP, South Dakota Legislative officials, fishing enthusiasts;  what say you?  Can we get this done for South Dakota?  I believe we can.