A new $7.50 shoreline fishing license went on sale Wednesday. Beginning August first, anyone fishing from shore must have one of the licenses. Only 73 people bought one the day they went on sale, but thousands more will need one.

As many as 338 thousand anglers are expected to need a shore line license for the first time, beginning August 1st. At Rivers Bait and Tackle, Johnny Rivers is already hearing the grumbling.

“A lot of people can go fishing that couldn’t go fishing if they had to have a boat or had to hire a boat. So I think it’s going to hurt the fishing industry.”

The first ever license to fish from shore costs $7.50. People on food stamps or other cash assistance are exempt. Henry Cabbage of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the state expects to raise just under a million dollars.

“the shoreline license fee sales will go directly to research and management of marine resources and law enforcement.”

Terry Arnold doesn’t own a boat and says he will keep taking his kids and grandkids fishing.

“I mean, if I have to pay to keep the beaches clean, keep things up, keep the wildlife and game commission people patrolling, yeah that would be fine.”

People over 65 or under 16 are exempt from buying all fishing licenses.

The state is suggesting that people buy a full salt water fishing license, for $17.50, which entitles them to fish from a boat as well as from shore.