MassWildLife: Isolation leading to more fishing

NEWTON, Mass. — With group sports banned during the Coronavirus pandemic, state officials have seen ramp up in fishing.

Specific sales totals for the number of hunting and fishing licenses were not immediately available said Chief of Information, Marion Larson.

“It’s one of the higher times that we get a lot of license sales mostly because of fishing but this is higher than we've had in the past,” Larson said.

When people are out of work, fishing licenses tend to sell more often, she added.

According to 25 Investigates, since March 15th, 468,000 Massachusetts residents have filed for unemployment.

No matter the reason for competition along the shore of local lakes and ponds, Peter Hopkins of Brookline is happy to see the engagement of fellow anglers.

“(I am) kind of excited it seems like the next generation likes video games a little bit more than getting out there,” Hopkins said.

He feels that leaving laptops or video game controllers is good medicine for a time of disheartening social isolation.

“You can still have a conversation while you're hunting or fishing,” explained Hopkins.

The state continued to restock trout in area waterways early on in pandemic, Larson said.

Saltwater fishing licenses cost $10 for adults, freshwater ones are $27.50, though there is a range of costs with some licenses being free depending on age.

MassWildLife Offices and Fish Hatcheries remain closed until further notice, according to a notice on The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website.

According to the state’s website, hunting and fishing regulations, including licenses remain in effect during the COVID-19 State of Emergency and Stay at Home Advisory.

“We encourage people to go local and go to places that are less known,” said Larson.

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