Has anyone been checked and not had a license?
If so what happened ...

I've been wondering the same thing. I have a license, but I am taking a friend and his kids up there in a couple of weeks. They weren't able to purchase their license before the shutdown.

I also have wondered this, as our group is heading there this weekend and none of us have a license. The outfitter said people are fishing but stopped short of saying to do it illegally.

How about current canoe license. We have one that is non renewed from last year 10' that we are using on our group trip this weekend on Pine.

I haven't heard from anyone reliable but I read on another site that a C.O. had said that they were just planning on issuing warnings for fishing without a licence. Weather or not that includes fish in possession, who knows?

quote Arlo Pankook: "I haven't heard from anyone reliable but I read on another site that a C.O. had said that they were just planning on issuing warnings for fishing without a licence. Weather or not that includes fish in possession, who knows?"

If you don't have a license it would probably be best not to be keeping any fish don't you think? Less of a fine probably?

The state would fine you either way. If you do get caught, I suggest writing a very strongly word letter to your local representatives & the governor telling them that it's their screw up (thanks to user: wcummin1)

I find it amusing that the DNR would enforce the rule when they are the ones won't sell you the license.

Brainerd newspaper reported that Crow Wing County has requested DNR to clarify their position on license enforcement so that resort owners (and outfitters, guides, etc) have something to tell customers.

A mention was made about an honor system but that was not the confirmed DNR position. Stay tuned!

No fishing on honor system.

quote Sandman2009: " No fishing on honor system. "

Wow! Speechless.

never heard of it. i asked 2 outfitters and they said they never heard of it inside the bwca. but have on bordering bwca lakes and lakes that allow motors. apparently the forest rangers dont ask for them, and the dnr dont much go in unless required to for specific reasons. i would fish, not bring any out, and then still purchase my licence when possible just to support the dnr. if you have a licence from last year, bring it. just for bargaining leverage, just in case.

Never

quote CoachBigD: "

quote Sandman2009: " No fishing on honor system. "

Wow! Speechless."

They have to say that officially. Otherwise too many morons wil come out of the woodwork to fish illeagally. Right now it is up to each officers discretion. Most peopel are gettign a warning under normal circumstances.

T

To get checked in the BWCAW by the DNR is rare. There have been some well publisized sting operations run by the DNR in the BWCAW in the past. No license, too many fish, fishing out of season are the most common---surprised me, but slobs are everywhere even in the BWCAW. They ran one a few years back a couple of days before fishing opener--apparantly some people don't follow MN regs for fishing seasons :)

But in the scheme of things I am sure right now the BWCAW is small potatoes compared to the rest of the state. I can't see them going in unless there was some type of huge violation reported.

T

I agree, timatkn. The DNR can't come out and say there is no enforcement or every we'll get people who wouldn't ordinarily fish (or buy a license) running for the nearest lake. The concern is for those who want to fish legally but can't, and I would be really surprised if DNR officers weren't giving the benefit of the doubt.

I believe the majority of the DNR's efforts will be to protect their money lakes that don't at least have the extra level of protection that the BWCA has with permit requirements and federal enforcement of those.

Mille Lacs, Winni, Vermillion, Leech, etc will be enforced at regular levels (to protect the resources that are so easily depleted), but I could see a very limited presence in the BWCA getting even smaller during the shutdown because those yahoos who like to abuse MN's resources will choose lakes outside the BWCA to target over the BWCA lakes because of the permit requirement wrinkle.

wait a minute. how is the dnr gonna check you? arent they not even on patrol?

quote fisher: "wait a minute. how is the dnr gonna check you? arent they not even on patrol? "

They are out in full force as far as I know. DNR go through law enforcement training can even write you a speeding ticket (unfortunately know that from first hand experience as a youth :) ) All law enforcement were given an exception to the shutdown for obvious reasons.



T

approaching 40 trips to the B-dub including the wintertime. 3 or 4 times checked for permit by the Forest Service,,. Never even seen the DNR in the B-DUB. (outside of a few mock campsites setup on Seagull in the closed areas ,, I'am sure by the DNR to thwart illegal fishing) Seems to have more of a presence in the wintertime for laker fishing as we have been checked at least twice for liscense and stamp though this was outside the B-dub but pretty deep in the bush. Put a few hairy ports between yourself and the entry point along with some bad weather and I bet a lot of $$ you never run into the MN DNR.

I have been dead center in the BWCA years ago and got checked for fishing license. A couple of years ago a individual was ticketed for various violations related to fishing just south of Knife. I now a few Conservation Officers who love canoeing and camping so the two of them make a annual trip to work various areas of the BWCA. I think most during this shutdown were checking license only if they perceived other violations were happening and were very understanding during this time period. They did not want to ticket anybody,but they do not make the law they enforce it. But you never know if you get a CO with a bad hair day.

The governor of Minnesota has reached a budget agreement with leaders of the Republican-controlled legislature that would end a two-week-old state government shutdown ! Fish ON!

Never been checked by the dnr up there but have run into the forest rangers. Was a quick, painless and pleasant experience. Glad they were checking people.