Fishermen have told state lawmakers they want a new fee imposed on personal use and sport fishermen who catch sockeye on two heavily used rivers in the state.
The fees are part of a bill that would increase hunting, trapping and fishing license fees statewide. During a Senate Resources Committee meeting Thursday, anglers said they want revenue raised for the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, which are about 150 miles south of Anchorage.
The sockeye salmon stamp cost for residents would be $15. Non-residents would pay between $15 and $150.
The president of the Kenai River Special Management Advisory Board, Ted Wellman, says that area has been heavily impacted by the growing dipnet fishery and funds could be used to rehabilitate the rivers.
