The increase in the price of fishing tickets for iron waters will be significantly below the rate of inflation

2023.11.25. Share

The Vas County Association of Sport Fishing Associations held an autumn board meeting in Vaskeresztes in mid-October, during which many important topics affecting anglers were discussed. In accordance with tradition, in addition to changes in the local fishing regulations, next year's ticket prices were also on the agenda.

The increase in the price of fishing tickets for iron waters will be significantly below the rate of inflation

This year, many proposals were received to tighten the Association's local fishing rules, but some evenings there were also proposals aimed at easing them. After a long discussion, the presidency, which consists of the leaders of the member associations of the Association, adopted several technical clarifications and implemented some new regulations as of January 1, 2024. In the case of several proposals, there was not a majority at the time of the vote, so for example the raising of the upper size limit for carp from 50 cm to 60-70 cm was rejected. Those entitled to vote were similarly divided by the declaration of several areas of the Répce river and Gyöngyös stream as full C&R sections. These rules will surely be on the agenda again at the next meetings, when the local fishing regulations valid from 2025 will be under negotiation again. It was stated several times at the meeting that the amount of local rules already ensures the most important goal: the protection of fish and nature, as well as our built environment, so further drastic tightening is not justified.

Furthermore, rules must be made that can be effectively controlled and sanctioned. It is the duty of all anglers to familiarize themselves with the rules before starting fishing and to follow them consistently. In addition to fishing guards, every angler has the right to warn violators of the local fishing regulations, to report detected irregularities, as well as pollution and damage to the shore to an official person or body (fish guard, federal office, police, etc.). An extract of the rules to be introduced or amended from January 1, 2024 is available here.

Every year, the leaders and employees of the Association carefully analyze ticket exchange habits, the economic environment, and inflation expectations. Each year, based on detailed calculations and economic forecasts, it is planned to what extent it is necessary to change the price of regional tickets in the following year. It is extremely important for the managers to maintain and, if possible, further develop the results achieved so far in terms of fishing and maintaining the cultured waterside environment, even with the small but decreasing number of fishermen and territorial ticket changes. The annual average inflation will be between 17.6-18.1 percent this year and the expected rate next year will be between 8-10 percent. Stagnation of fish prices is expected for the fishing industry, but the increase in other operating costs (profit rents, fuel costs, wages, etc.) is inevitable due to the general effects of inflation and will significantly affect our association as well.

Thanks to the successful and stable management of recent years, the presidency has decided not to raise the price of the most popular daily-weekly tickets, with regard to annual regional tickets, regional tickets will be increased by an average of 5%, well below inflation, the realistic rate of which is 10- According to calculations, it would be around 15%. The main goal is to provide a wide range of opportunities for fishing in federal waters and to encourage the desire to exchange tickets for iron waters. Based on the amount of fish that can be kept with our regional tickets to be issued in 2024 and the number of fishable water areas, even after the increase, our ticket prices will remain one of the most favorable in regional and national comparisons. The price of our most popular ticket, the annual Vas County adult area permit, will change from HUF 67,000 to HUF 70,000, while the "3 lakes + rivers ticket" will go from HUF 60,000 to HUF 63,000. The full ticket price list for 2024 is available here >>> In the interest of adult anglers in a more difficult financial situation, it is still possible to purchase next year's area license in two or three installments, and anglers can choose from nearly forty types of fishing tickets. Single-rod fishing licenses for children, youth and beneficiaries (full-time student of an educational institution, fisherman's wife, anglers over 70, disabled) are still significantly cheaper than the price of general adult licenses. It is important to draw attention to the fact that the Association will once again hold its traditional annual area ticket sale until January 31, 2024. Those who redeem their annual license in January can redeem their individual adult area fishing tickets with a HUF 3,000 discount. Area tickets valid for the year 2024 can still be purchased with the SZÉP Card at the Vaskeresztes Fishing Tourism Center of the Association or online. The Association continues to trust that fellow anglers will stick with its well-organized and continuously developing waterfronts, as well as its fishing waters that offer better and better fishing opportunities, and will continue to support the iron waters with their ticket exchange.