Fishing closer to home these days? You're not alone.

One of three anglers say they will be making shorter casts this summer - no thanks to highway robbery at the fuel pump.

In a national survey in June, 32 percent of fishermen said high fuel prices would affect their fishing plans. That's 10 percent more than a similar survey found in 2007.

The survey by Southwick Associates said only 22 percent of anglers plan not to let high gasoline and diesel fuel prices crimp their fishing style this summer.

Last year, 35 percent of anglers said rising fuel prices would not affect their summer fishing activities.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline Monday was $4.11 across the U.S. and $4.06 in the Rocky Mountain states, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Diesel fuel costs $4.73 per gallon nationwide, $4.67 in the Rocky Mountain West.

All of which is making those Front Range reservoirs, community ponds and nearby streams look a lot more desirable.

NEW YEAR CONCEPT: Imagine going ice fishing or tailwater fly fishing after New Year's Day without having to remember to buy a new fishing license. Picture a waterfowl or pheasant hunting season uninterrupted by a visit to the license agent.

At last - after years of inconvenience, embarrassing forgetfulness or the occasional ticket and fine - Colorado license holders will be able to fish or hunt with a valid license in pocket from beginning to logical end of the fishing and small-game hunting seasons.

At its meeting Thursday, the Colorado Wildlife Commission is expected to ditch the current calendar year setup and change the license year to April 1 to March 31.

The spring-to-spring licenses will apply to annual fishing, small-game, combination and furbearer licenses as well as state habitat stamps, duck stamps and Walk-In Access stamps.

Many states have used the common-sense license calendar since hunting and fishing licenses were conceived in the early 20th century.

Colorado's switch comes with a one-time bonus. Instead of expiring Dec. 31, the 2008 fishing or small-game license now will be valid through March 31.

COMMISSION ONLINE: Wildlife Commission meetings and workshops are online with streaming audio for those who can't make the meetings in person.

Streaming audio, similar to that employed by the state legislature, will be broadcast live from commission meetings, including Thursday and Friday in Durango.

Internet listeners must have Windows Media Player installed. Audio from meetings in session will be at Wildlife.State.CO.US/ WildlifeCommission.

The Division of Wildlife asks listeners to be patient if service becomes limited or impaired while it works on technical problems during the early stages of the audio service.

WALK-IN HOSTS WANTED: The wildlife division is actively seeking new properties to add to its Walk-In Access program this year. Last year, the program leased 220,000 acres of private land for public hunting access.

The division will hold meetings Tuesday in Limon and July 16 in Rush to explain the program to ranch managers and landowners.

The Limon meeting will be at the Limon Community Center. The Rush meeting will be at Steel Fork Pheasant, 22810 County Road 4.

Both meetings start at 7 p.m.

DOW managers are especially interested in leasing properties with scaled quail, pheasant or dove hunting opportunities.

Landowners are compensated from funds generated by Walk-In Access permits, which hunters must buy to access the lands.