With the nice weather comes many outdoor activities the frigid winter does not permit, such as fishing and boating.

While these are activities anyone can enjoy throughout the summer, each comes with responsibility and a mandatory license or registration, said Tim Schweizer from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but it is important to have the proper documentation,” Schweizer said.

A fishing license costs $15 for Illinois residents.

“The easiest way to get a license is to do it online,” Schweizer said.

If someone who is not a resident in Illinois wants to fish, a license is still required and will cost $31.50.

Fishing licenses can also be purchased at sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart, where agents are present.

Tony Birch, a Charleston resident, has been fishing for 15 years and said he always gets a fishing license because it makes economic sense.

“It is a lot cheaper to buy the $15 license than to pay the $75 ticket,” Birch said. “I have already been checked about four times this year by the conservation patrol to see if I have a license.”

Birch spent Sunday afternoon on the Campus Pond fishing with his girlfriend’s son, Zach, age 8, who had never been fishing before.

“Anytime you are in an area where other people may be it’s a good idea to have your license because you never know when you will be asked,” Birch said.

The money the Department of Natural Resources receives from the license fee goes directly back to the resource of fishing, Schweizer said.

All boats used on public water in Illinois must also be registered.

“All passenger vessels require a permit,” Schweizer said.

After the purchase of a boat, the registration must be requested by mail, and after the first year, the boat registration can be renewed online.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or kzyskowski@eiu.edu.