Reg. Marie you make a good point however, those license fees are the only source of revenue to research, manage, enforce, and promote Lake Erie's bounty. The fact that Lake Erie Charterboat Association has been the most vocal proponent for these license increases tells you they are concerned about the future of the lake. They also understand that when a non resident makes the choice to come to Lake Erie to enjoy the greatest walleye fishery in the world a non resident license is the cheapest thing they will pay for even if the cost is doubled. Yeah there will be a few who balk but think about why people go to Lake Ontario for salmon, Montana for trout, or Chesapeake Bay for stripers. It's not because the licenses are cheap...they go because it's a destination that offers the best of what they seek. Yes these people contribute millions to the local economy but none of those go directly..... or indirectly to the ODOW because they receive no general fund revenue.
As far as fines go, that is a judge problem. Yes maximum fines are legislated but the judges are the ones who set the dollar amount and frankly some are way too soft. Some sentences handed down in Ottawa County, the mecca of Lake Erie's walleye fishery, can and have been referred to as "cost of doing business" for poachers. Here's the latest example.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...eye/380454001/
These criminals will continue to take their chances if enforcement numbers aren't shored back up...and even increased. License hikes will help the ODOW to schedule a cadet class and fill the current vacancies.