# Why does one need a permit to fish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295 "2012-04-19T17:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/1 "2012-04-19T17:39:36Z")
Most lakes I see, there’s a sign saying that one needs a permit to fish. Why? Shouldn’t fishing be something that’s “free for all”. Similar question why do some lakes put a limit on how many or what types of fish you can catch? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/2 "2012-04-19T17:41:16Z")
Game & Fish permits help pay for the restocking of lakes. The fees are also used to manage hunting and to preserve the outdoor resources for the next generations. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/3 "2012-04-19T17:41:54Z")
the limits keep the resource from being depleted to the point of extinction. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/4 "2012-04-19T17:43:35Z")
Isn’t the obvious answer that the fish are not an unlimited resource? Overfishing can cause all kinds of problems for a single lake that go far beyond just “not enough fish” Permits are also a way of gaining revenue needed to fund the care of those systems like re-stocking, maintenance and studies. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/5 "2012-04-19T19:50:59Z")
Why _should_ it be free? The lake, and the surrounding land, is owned by somebody, whether that somebody is the federal government or a private individual. Your question is a little like asking why I can’t walk into an orchard and help myself to the fruit. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/6 "2012-04-19T19:52:58Z")
1. [Tragedy of the commons](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons): sure you may only take no more than 5 trout per day, but some guy down the river will trawl the hell out of all the fish. Multiply that by hundreds of people and you’re all out of fish. Limits are usually established as part of the license, and certain lakes/rivers/etc. may put more restrictive limits on. 1. To pay for things, as outlined above. 2. So that they can get an accurate measure of who is fishing and where, so that future programs can be implemented/adjusted. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/7 "2012-04-19T19:55:12Z")
I’d like a license for my pet fish, Eric. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/8 "2012-04-19T19:59:02Z")
A what? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/9 "2012-04-19T20:04:47Z")
A license for my pet fish, Eric. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/10 "2012-04-19T20:38:59Z")
'E is an 'alibut. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/11 "2012-04-19T20:54:01Z")
You’re a loony. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/12 "2012-04-19T20:58:26Z")
Fiddle-dee-dee. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/13 "2012-04-20T19:08:36Z")
I hate to wreck Eric’s dream, but how will he reach the pedals? Or hold the wheel? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/14 "2012-04-20T19:14:02Z")
> [@coffeecat](#): > > I hate to wreck Eric’s dream, but how will he reach the pedals? Or hold the wheel? He’s not as flat as the others. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/15 "2012-04-20T19:16:49Z")
Shouldn’t this thread be merged into the “[to be](http://boardstest.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=648927)” thread? Well, half of it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/16 "2012-04-20T19:21:23Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > You’re a loony. It’s people like you what cause unrest. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/17 "2012-04-20T19:29:00Z")
I swear, I have the mutant power to recognize Monty Python sketches I’ve never seen and never heard quotes from, but know where it’s from. So, there is one relevant(?) one I have seen. [Here you go](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uvt83YWWWY). So clearly you need to permit for free access to another’s trousers. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/18 "2012-04-20T19:50:22Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I swear, I have the mutant power to recognize Monty Python sketches I’ve never seen and never heard quotes from, but know where it’s from. > > So, there is one relevant(?) one I have seen. [Here you go](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uvt83YWWWY). So clearly you need to permit for free access to another’s trousers. [Fish licence](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pnq96W9jtuw#t=65s) ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/19 "2012-04-20T20:39:07Z")
That’s not a fish license, that’s a cat license with the word “Cat” crossed out and “Fish” written in. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295/20 "2012-04-20T22:05:22Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Most lakes I see, there’s a sign saying that one needs a permit to fish. Why? Shouldn’t fishing be something that’s “free for all”. > > Similar question why do some lakes put a limit on how many or what types of fish you can catch? I hate to admit that I actually like a government program, but I fully support fish and game laws and licensing. The money goes to the agency which monitors the populations of the wildlife to ensure that it remains at a proper level, and it ensures that your asshole neighbor (yeah, that guy) doesn’t throw out his drag net and catch 500 fish to sell at market. People who don’t hunt or fish don’t have any of their tax money taken for this purpose or for things they don’t use. Plus, the lake is public property. At least in my state, no license is required to fish in water that is entirely on your own property. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-one-need-a-permit-to-fish/619295.md?page=2)