Department of Natural Resources officials today urged anglers to consider buying $2 youth fishing licenses as a way to help the department draw down more federal funding. The youth fishing license is a voluntary license purchase. Youths 17 and older are required to purchase a regular fishing license, but anglers under the age of 17 are not required to purchase a license.

"The $2 voluntary youth fishing license is a great investment for anglers in our state because for every license we sell, we get back $8.18 in federal funding under the Dingell-Johnson Act," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "Also, purchasing a license for a youth angler helps teach children the importance of supporting conservation."

For every fishing license sold in Michigan, the DNR receives $8.18 from the Dingell-Johnson Act, also known as the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. Passed by Congress in 1950, the program is funded by revenues collected from the manufacturers of fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits, who pay an excise tax on these items to the U.S. Treasury. The funds are then distributed to the state fish and wildlife agencies based the number of licensed anglers and the amount of land and water area in the state.