TUCSON, AZ — For the last several years, Jim Merkel has been fishing at Silverbell Lake.
"Well this is a little oasis in the middle of Tucson. I'm from Long Island where there were plenty of places to fish and here in Arizona you are very limited so this is like a little oasis for us people who love fishing."
Merkel says he's never thought twice about buying his license before putting his line in the water and says it is frustrating when others try to take advantage.
According to Arizona Game and Fish, one of the reasons is so that they are able to re-fill the lakes across Arizona with fish.
"When you buy a license, you help us stock the lakes that people fish. For example, this week 1,400 pounds of catfish went into Silverbell Lake, people will be having a lot of fun out there. Those who bought their licenses help pay for it."
Game and Fish says every year they handle about 500 illegal take of wildlife cases, including fishing cases, which last month saw about 30 people cited.
The fine for not having a fishing license can vary.
"It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction to jurisdiction and judge to judge. It can be as low as 50 and as high as 350."
In order to get a license through Arizona Game and Fish click on the link.
