Permit for portable ice shack?

[Nordicron]

I'm from WI and will be going to Mille Lacs this weekend for a company ice fishing outing. Was planning on bring my Otter sled/ice shack until I heard that a permit would be required for it. I can't believe you MN people put up with this kinda crap. I thought the WI DNR was greedy! Anyways just curoius if anyone knows if I could get by without a permit as long as I didn't pull tent over. What I mean could I still us the sled and bench seat and maybe put tent in the wind break position without violating the law? I have already emailed the DNR just thought someone here might have already asked this question. Thanks.

[PJM]

Nordicron

I still think you need the permit but for all the years I have Ice fished I have never been checked. The permit is only $12.00 I believe and also where are you going fishing at.

[Nordicron]

The Nonresident permit costs $19 for a 7day and $33 for a season. I wonder what the fine is for not having one?

[Pitts]

Last time I was stopped for forgetting to show license on the outside (in my pocket) it was up to an 80$ fine but he was a nice guy and only fined me for 1/2 because I had it in my pocket:(


Pitts

[PJM]

Nordicron


Sorry, I forgot you were nonresident. One thing though, there are not alot of people out icefishing on Millac because to get around to certian spots because need a four wheeler or a snowmobile........

[VMS]

had a buddy last year (who is from MN) that was fined for not having his permit. Cost him $200. I would much rather spend the 19 than pay 200. Are the chances high? Probably not, but murphy always seems to follow.

Steve

[The Great Guide]

I don't know the answer to your question about using the bench and not putting up the tent, but temps are going to be well below zero on Saturday morning with highs in the 10's. If you do decide to buy the permit, make sure you have you have your name and address displayed on the outside per regulation. I saw two guys from WI get ticketed for that on Red last year. I thought it was a cheap shot from the DNR because those guys did have a license.

TGG

[waterfowler]

The law can be interpretted many ways, but I've been told(strictly here say) that you need a permit if you sit in your pickup and watch tipups..... This may be an old wives tale, but I guess I would just spend the 19 so your weekend isn't ruined by something that could have been easily prevented. Remember to check all the regs so you don't get caught with your pants down. Good luck, I'm hearing great reports from that lake.

[Big Laker]

I asked an officer this very question last year. He said "is it, or is it not a portable fish house?" he didn't care if I put the lid up or not, its still a fish house (which I guess I would have to agree with).
So you can either spend the $ or take off the top or take a chance...

[Me]

When is my winter coat too large that it can be called a portable fish house?!! Is "large" OK, but if I wear an "extra-large"......? I am "sitting in it", and I am fishing. How about if I'm on the ice fishing and pull a blanket over myself to keep warm? Am I in violation? How do you define a portable fishing house? Why don't campers need a permit for their tents? Most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!

[hammertime]

now im even more glad i live in mi, couldnt believe that sombody has to have a lic. just to take out portable ice shack. whats this world coming too. i can see having your name and no. on the shack, but are the fishery funds in mn that short that they have to use things like this to build up the funds or what? thats really sad to go to them lengths.

[AquaMan]

TGG, only ice houses that remain on the ice unattended over night require the name/address info. Portables are exempt if they are removed with the fisherman each time he/she exits the ice.

Minnesotan fishers/hunters pay more in DNR fees (hunting and fishing licenses, special hunting licenses, boat and trailer licenses, canoe licencse, sailboat license, snowmobile and trailer license, studded track fee, a portion of the lottery, the RIM vehicle plates, a portion of the gas tax, a portion of your equipment purchase tax, yadda, yadda, yadda, not to mention all the federal assistance $$$ we get.) then any other State and we have to fight for every resource dollar. Where is all that money going if the DNR is short funded? Makes you wonder who IS getting fat. We should have 2000 agents in the field driving brand new 1 tons with a new 4stroke 4-wheeler or sled with all the latest in surveillance equipment and robotic dogs with all that money. Who is the BIG SPONGE?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Dave in Mpls]

Unless there is a new exemption I am unaware of, portable houses DO require the name and address, or driver's license number of the owner, as well as a shelter license.

See Page 44

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_and_wildlife/regulations/fishing/2001_fishing.pdf

Portables ARE exempt from the 2" reflector requirement unless they are kept on the ice overnight. Note there is no penalty for non-compliance with the reflector law. In addition, portables are only required to have letters 2" in height.

Regards

[Dave in Mpls]

You'll get no argument from me!! Last year a Bill was introduced in the legislature to exempt portables from shelter licenses, as well as allow anglers two lines year round. No go. At least a CO is now required to have a warrant to enter a fish house.

Regards

[AquaMan]

Whoa, I stand corrected. Thanks Dave.

However, I have been checked on Lake of the Woods many times and the CO never said a word about the fact that all of our portable (5) did not have that info. Only the license was checked. The 2 guys that had permenant houses did get grief for incorrect location of that info. We got a warning and corrected those.

Hmmmmm.....guess I am the lucky one.


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Dave in Mpls]

Just wanted to make sure I didn't drink too much cough syrup last night :)

See ya next Saturday

[Dave in Mpls]

In regard to not pulling the tent over-

The MN fishing regs state the following: Darh houses, fish houses, and portable shelters placed on the ice for SHELTER while fishing must be licensed....

I think a person could make a real strong argument that if the tent is not deployed, it isn't being used as a SHELTER.

Regards

[Dave in Mpls]

That's because he couldn't read.....

[Dave in Walker]

I sat on my bench of my Trap on Gull Lake fishing one winter and noticed a pickup with the motor running on shore, the second I flipped my lid over he came out, he was the CO and asked for my license, now that might be the law but that was dinky, I did have my license luckily. Also no where but in Minnesota do you have to have a license to Cross Country Ski! I refuse, call me bullheaded.

[Jbob]

I called Myr Mar today and they said that they were driving out on the lake now. This is the latest that we have gotten our shack out on the ice ever. Hope it is worth while putting it out.

[rock2me]

Well, I am pretty sure there are enough funds! Minnesota is the land of a ten thousand taxes. According to last years numbers we are the fourth highest, per capita, taxed state! Ouch!

Our great governor and legistlators are pushing to raise taxes due to a projected $2Billion dollar shortfall. That means expanding gas taxes, cig taxes and expanding sales tax to clothes and services. That is a bunch of @#$%#$%! When have you ever seen gov't jobs truly cut?

People are losing their jobs, just found out Fingerhut is closing today and all they can think about is more taxes. We need a revolt!


Good Luck!

[Nordicron]

Thanks for everyones input. I still haven't heard from MN DNR yet so looks like I'll cave in and buy the stupid permit to avoid trouble. I am also going to make a sign with my name and lic# on it but I can't seem to find where it states 2" letters for a portable. All I see is 3" letters being required. Anyone help out with this one?

[Dave in Mpls]

Nordicron-

The 2" letter requirement is for all fish houses (permanent and portable) as well as dark houses.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/information_center/news_releases/nr1008094292.html

Regards