Photo by Chris Kenyon,The Outdoorsman

"For many years we've been promoting sportfishing as a fun and exciting activity for anyone - men, women, and children," said Cathy Pokines, director, Oswego County Promotion and Tourism. "I think its great that a woman has won one of the largest fishing competitions in the Great Lakes."

Gail has been fishing since she was 19 years old and has spent the last 10 years angling on Lake Ontario.

When asked if she would split the $20,000 grand prize with her husband she quipped, "Maybe I will, maybe I won't." Laughing, she said one third would go to Ron, one third to her, and onethird for the boat.

Wisconsin Allows Alewife Trawl

"This funding results from a 10-percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders"

Continuing a conservation tradition dating back more than six decades, state fish and wildlife agencies will share $301.8 million in excise taxes paid by America's hunters, target shooters, boaters, and anglers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark announced today.

States will use funds from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program for fish and wildlife conservation through land acquisition, habitat improvement, research, education, and other programs,and also will help pay for hunting education programs, boating access, and other fish- and wildlife-related recreation projects.

This funding is a preliminary apportionment, which is provided to the states based on receipts for the first 9 months of the year. Additional funds will become available after receipts for the July-September quarter are known.

The preliminary apportionment for sport fish restoration for FY 1998 totals $197.1 million. This funding results from a 10-percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders. The Wallop-Breaux legislation of 1984 increased the tax base for sport fish restoration to include a portion of the Federal fuels tax and importation duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.

Distribution of sport fish restoration funds to the states is based on the land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each state.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

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