Though season has been open for various species and water bodies in New Hampshire, the arrival of spring means more anglers in the state will be facing the reality of an increase in license fees, the first since 2003.

A New Hampshire fishing license now costs $45 and if you want to fish the coast, you’ll need a recreational saltwater license, which will set you back another $11. The saltwater license was instituted in 2011.

The state Department of Fish and Game is mostly self-funded, with money coming from hunting and fishing license fees and similar revenues, but it does receive some federal money. The state directed $699,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $893,000 in fiscal year 2015.

For 2016 and 2017, $600,000 per year in general funds will be funneled to the department.

"This increase will allow the department to continue to do the work that all visitors and residents benefit from," Glenn Normandeau, Fish and Game director, said on the agency’s website. He called the licenses a "great year-long value."

In 2014, a legislative commission studied ways the department could improve its financial sustainability. One outcome was a license fee increase. In 2015, New Hampshire House Bill 212 gave the department the ability to set and change license fees.

The rise in the cost of doing business that has driven the department to make a "slight uptick to maintain current level of programs," said Jason Smith, the department’s inland fisheries division chief.

"Even things people don’t think about the cost of fish food has doubled in the last 10 years or so," Smith said.

Joe Catalano, who runs Granite State Rod and Reel Repair in Nashua, said anglers shouldn’t complain about the increase.

"Where else can you go for that money?" he said Thursday.

Catalano said he writes about a couple of hundred licenses a year. The department said that, simply put, costs have risen and the number of anglers and hunters buying licenses has not.

The costs include search-and-rescue operations, among other things. Search-and-rescue operations are mandated by law, and the means to fund the operations comes in the form of a $1 fee collected in snowmobile, ATV and boat registrations. More than half of the rescue operations were for hikers or climbers.

The relatively new Hike Safe card helps offset costs of rescues that would occur due to negligence on the part of the person partaking in the outdoor activity. Hunting and fishing licenses, as well as OHRV, boat and snowmobile permits have similar coverage benefits.

Fishing and hunting license fees and the money from the Fish and Game fund help cover any shortfalls.

The department has also made cuts. Since 2006 the department has shrunk by 31 positions, Smith said.

Seniors, who had the benefit of free licenses, will now have to pay $7 for either a fishing license or combination hunting/fishing license.

A senior muzzleloader license is only $3. A bear hunting license or a turkey permit will be $16 for people of any age.

If clam or oyster harvesting is your thing, you’re in luck. There’s no fee if you are 68 years old or older.

A wildlife habitat fee of $1 and transaction fee of $2 is required on all licenses.

There are also reciprocity agreements between Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut, meaning New Hampshire saltwater licenses are honored in those states, and vice versa.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration developed a permit process in 2009. Called the National Saltwater Angler Registry, it was designed to increase knowledge about impact on fisheries and economic influence of recreational fishing. Depending on certain criteria, that permit would cost around $29. Registered New England anglers in exempt states, which include New Hampshire, would automatically be registered with NOAA and no other NOAA permit purchase would be required.

Catalano, who has run his tackle shop out of his home since 1967, said he’s had a few complaints about the increase, but "it’s the person who goes once or twice a month – they’re the ones that are (complaining). Where can you go for $47 a year? You go to the movies, you go anywhere, it’s more than that."

Don Himsel can be reached at 594-6590, dhimsel@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DonH.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated on 4/1 to reflect the fact that the reciprocity agreement among New England states covers only saltwater fishing licenses, and that the wildlife habitat fee is $1.