Although fishing license sales were down before the opener throughout Minnesota, officials aren’t concerned about the status of the state’s most notorious activity.

Dirk Peterson, Department of Natural Resources fisheries chief said sales are lower, but they’re still within a range of what Minnesota sells throughout typical years. Even with high gas prices and other economic factors, Peterson expects numbers to hit the average. They usually do.

Almost every year, Minnesota sells between 1.4 million and 1.5 million fishing license.

Because gas is so expensive this year, Peterson said there could be a lapse in license sales.

“I think any time you increase (gas prices) there’s a chance of it having some type of effect on dampening activity,” he said.

But that’s only one side of the story. Peterson said people may be opting for vacations within Minnesota instead traveling long distances. Furthermore, fishing is one of the most inexpensive outdoor activities.

“Poeple are looking for recreation opportunities closer to home, and fishing is an inexpensive bargain that provides a lot of family fun,” Peterson said.

“Now that the weather has warmed up, please take a kid fishing,” Peterson added.

DNR officials blame most of the current lapse on the weather, which has been unusually cold and wet for a Minnesota spring. T.J. DeBates, DNR area fisheries manager in Waterville, said the cold may have deterred some fishermen because the fish haven’t become active yet.

Last week, water temperatures were still in the 40s; however, they’ve now moved into the 60s. More fish could be spawning soon as a result.

Another damper to the spring has been the DNR’s schedule, too. It’s been delayed because of the cold. But DeBates said he and fisheries workers have been moving fingerling fish into ponds and will be stocking lakes soon with the warm weather.

Neither DeBates nor Peterson were concerned about negative effects to recreational fishing in Minnesota. They expect an average year.