Creating a muskellunge fishing fee

This bill creates a muskellunge fishing fee. The bill requires any person required to have a fishing license to pay a muskellunge fishing fee to fish for or possess muskellunge. The bill directs the proceeds of the fee to be used exclusively by the natural resource commission (commission) for the muskellunge program designated by the commission. The bill provides an exception to the muskellunge fishing fee requirement for the period of a community event where muskellunge are stocked in water not designated muskellunge water. For the fee exception to apply, the event must be granted a permit by the commission. In addition to any applicable penalties, a person who unlawfully takes muskellunge shall reimburse the state $1,000 for each muskellunge caught or possessed.