The new year is bringing some changes for the recreation fishing and hunting industries in our area. You will have to pay a little more to spend time in a tree stand or dropping a line.

Jackson County Commerce’s Art Kimbrough says for Jackson County, recreational fishing is one of the industries driving the economy.

"When you have this much land and water in a rural area it attracts not only the local people here but people from all over the county.

Jackson County Tax Collector Sherry Brown it will now cost those people a little more to enjoy the area's attractions.

"It will range from $3.50 to $22.50, and the larger change is for the longer licenses, so it won't be a great increase."

Brown also says the increase is a long time coming.

This is the first increase since 1989. No one is angling on the lake, but officials are hoping the 2008 fishing season will be the complete opposite.

Kimbrough says the increase wont keep people away.

"We don't expect to have any negative impact what so all, this going to be a good year in Jackson County for hunting fishing and sportsman."

But Kimbrough says the optimism comes after minor set backs last year.

"Fishing was hurt some what in 2007 because in some areas water was low it effected the fish habitat."

Despite last year's decline, Brown believes fishing in 2008 will be great.

"If they don't do anything else they're going to have a boat, they're going to have a gun and they're going to get a license."

For a full list of all the license fee changes, log on to Fish, Wildlife and Parks website at my.fwc.com