Fishing fees to increase at Academy

  • Published
  • By Janine Dreger
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Anyone angling to catch a fish at the Air Force Academy will pay more next year, as permit costs go up Jan. 1.

Fishing permit fees for the Academy include the Farish Recreation Area.

“The fishing fee structure will be $22 for an annual permit, a $1 increase; $8 for a one-day permit, a 75-cent increase; and $6 for a second rod permit, a $1 increase,” said Brian Mihlbachler, 10th Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources manager.

Mihlbachler said the increase is needed to keep pace with inflation and the escalating cost of hatchery fish.  The last fee increase was in 2005, he said.

“The Academy’s fishing program must operate on a cost-reimbursable basis through permit sales as taxpayer dollars are not used to support the program,” Mihlbachler said.

The Natural Resources staff stocks the lakes at the Academy and Farish Recreational Area with nearly14,000 pounds of trout, April through September. They occasionally stock the lakes at the Academy with catfish.

A state of Colorado license is not required to fish on USAFA or Farish. Annual permits and second-rod permits at the Academy are valid each calendar year.

“Fishing on USAFA is only available to active duty military, retired military, Defense Department civilians and their sponsored guests, so it’s  an exceptional value and significantly less expensive than  Colorado fishing licenses,” Mihlbacher said.

Visit https://usafa.isportsman.net for more information.