As trout season nears, fishing licenses will be on sale in Bishop beginning Thursday

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The highly anticipated trout fishing season opens Saturday in the eastern Sierra, and the California Department of Fish and Game wants to make sure anglers are prepared -- at least when it comes to being properly licensed prior to the popular opening day.

So DFG personnel will be on hand at the Bishop Chamber of Commerce beginning Thursday, selling fishing licenses via the newly launched Automated License Data System.

‘We are encouraging everyone who plans to fish the opener to go to the DFG website and get their 2011 California fishing license before they head into the Sierra,’ DFG Director John McCamman said. ‘For those who can’t make the purchase online, we will be in Bishop for opening weekend. But to avoid lines and get out ahead of the crowd, early purchase is your best bet.’

The DFG will sell licenses Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. An annual fishing license costs $43.46 for California residents and $116.90 for nonresidents. For those looking for a shorter commitment, one-day licenses are available for $14.04 and a two-day license sells for $21.86.

The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is at 690 N. Main St.

-- Kelly Burgess
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