I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?

Yes, I believe it is any watercraft over 10' in length.

Your Paddle sticker that you buy in Illinois counts as a registration. As you have to give the Make,Model, color and serial number of the canoe or kayak when you get the Paddle sticker.In fact the first time I got mine I had to have the old registration or a bill of sale I would call that a registration in my book. We canoe in MN, WI and Canada and have had no problems with the paddle sticker.

Thanks. I didn't know a paddle sticker was required in Illinois. Good to know!

quote overland: "Thanks. I didn't know a paddle sticker was required in Illinois. Good to know!"

The official name is Water Usage Stamp. See the Illinois DNR website for vendors (stamps are not available online). I usually buy mine at Dick's.

quote Ausable: "

quote overland: "Thanks. I didn't know a paddle sticker was required in Illinois. Good to know!"

The official name is Water Usage Stamp. See the Illinois DNR website for vendors (stamps are not available online). I usually buy mine at Dick's."

^ This. Any place that sells hunting or fishing licenses (including WalMart) will sell you one. $6.50 per year. Don't forget to get the adhesive to turn it into a sticker....

A water usage stamp is not a registration. Illinois does not require a registration, thus you need to register your canoe in some state for the BW. This topic has been discussed and I copied a reply from a previous discussion.

"CANOE AND BOAT REGISTRATIONS Minnesota
requires all watercraft to be registered and honors all state
watercraft registrations. If your state does not require a canoe to
be registered, you must either register your canoe in your state as a
motorized craft or license the canoe in Minnesota. Canoes can be
registered at the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road,
Box 26, St. Paul, MN 55155-4026. Phone 651-296-2316.
(Minnesota toll-free) 800-285-2000. Plan ahead; local
license bureaus may not be open on weekends."
quote from USFS brochure .pdf

It is a registration. They take your name, address, HIN, make, and model and produce a sticker that can be used to trace who bought the sticker.

Illinois requires all watercraft over a certain size to have a water usage stamp, including canoes.

I called MN DNR and spoke with the DNR director in Ely area. They told me the Illinois Water Usage stamp is acceptable to them. He asked if he found the canoe could he find the owner by the data on the sticker and I am sure he can.

quote billconner: "I called MN DNR and spoke with the DNR director in Ely area. They told me the Illinois Water Usage stamp is acceptable to them. He asked if he found the canoe could he find the owner by the data on the sticker and I am sure he can.



"

Yes considering all the info they have on you and the canoe. I'm not sure what more they could ask you as when we used to register them it was the same info. I'm curious what MN asks differently than IL asks.

Welcome to Minnesota...Land of 10,000 taxes, user fees, registrations, renewal fees, hazardous this and that fees, etc. You get the idea!

I realize this question has been answered, but for anyone finding this thread in a search in the future, here is my story.
I purchased a canoe from Ohio, with outdated Ohio registration, and I live in Indiana. Indiana does not register canoes, so I called the Ely branch, and spoke to a very helpful lady. I would be heading into town over a holiday weekend, and they wouldn't be open to process my paperwork. Long story short, she told me to mail copies of documents, and info on the canoe, to them, with a check. 2 weeks later I got my MN sticker in the mail. They are good for 3 years, and can be renewed online. I don't think this follows protocol, but they were very helpful!

Just to note, if i understand the law, if you paddle in Illinois you need the Illinois water usage stamp. Your out of state registration is not acceptable. I laugh at land of a 1000 taxes. When this law first came out it included inner tubes and everything that floats. A little outrage can work.

I live in Illinois but I still register my canoe in MN. I have a cabin near Ely so I don't mind giving MN some extra $

quote billconner: "Just to note, if i understand the law, if you paddle in Illinois you need the Illinois water usage stamp. Your out of state registration is not acceptable. I laugh at land of a 1000 taxes. When this law first came out it included inner tubes and everything that floats. A little outrage can work."

Point of clarification:
Are you saying that if I bring my canoe which is legally registered in Ohio to paddle a lake in Illinois that need to also register it in Illinois?
If I drive my car on Illinois roads do I also need to get Illinois tags to hang by my current license plate?

quote ObiWenonahKenobi: "

quote billconner: "Just to note, if i understand the law, if you paddle in Illinois you need the Illinois water usage stamp. Your out of state registration is not acceptable. I laugh at land of a 1000 taxes. When this law first came out it included inner tubes and everything that floats. A little outrage can work."

Point of clarification:
Are you saying that if I bring my canoe which is legally registered in Ohio to paddle a lake in Illinois that need to also register it in Illinois?
If I drive my car on Illinois roads do I also need to get Illinois tags to hang by my current license plate?"

Yes on the Water Usage tag for your canoe to paddle it in IL. No on the car tag.

Who knew this was so complicated? I'm glad I asked--I think.

What old fingers said. But not your float toy. That was repealed.

I think that Illinois recognizes current out-of-state boat registrations if you do not use the boat more than 60 days in Illinois. Thus, if your canoe is registered in another state and it has a current registration tag displayed on it, you do not need to purchase an Illinois Water Usage Stamp. See the following information:
Illinois boat regulations

quote Ausable: "I think that Illinois recognizes current out-of-state boat registrations if you do not use the boat more than 60 days in Illinois. Thus, if your canoe is registered in another state and it has a current registration tag displayed on it, you do not need to purchase an Illinois Water Usage Stamp. See the following information:
Illinois boat regulations "

You are showing the site for motorized boats that have numbers to them. Plus that info is from 2009. The Water Usage Stamp came about 3-4 yrs ago. If you have a motor boat or sailboat you go by those rules. If you are a resident or non resident of the state of Illinois you need to have a Water Usage Stamp on any boat that floats like a Kayak, SUP or canoe. Floats like Inner tubes are not required to have one.

Water Usage Stamp
Your current Water Usage Stamp expires on December 31.You do not need a Water Usage Stamp if your current registration is still valid. All canoes & kayaks will need a Water Usage Stamp, even non-resident will need a stamp if they are on Illinois public waters. IDNR Water Usage Stamps Now Available http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating/Pages/RegistrationTitlingWatercraft.aspx To buy a Water Usage Stamp, you will need to have your Hull Id Number, Brand, Model, and Color of your boat. You will also need to provide your full name, address, phone number, driver's license, and social security # to get an IDNR Customer Number.See below. Fill out this form and hand to the Clerk. The square with the large bold number designating the year is the portion that must be displayed on the craft. Tear it off and follow the adhesive instructions. The other two squares are the proof of purchase retained by the customer same as you would an automobile registration. Customers should not display their personal information on the craft. Placement of the stamp can be inside the craft but should be located where an officer can see without difficulty. The Stamp is not self-adhesive. Adhesive material was mailed to each store along with their new price/code sheet and informational bulletin. The clerk should have provided you with Adhesive Material. Use this link to find vendor locations for purchase of the water usage stamp.
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx You are no longer required to register your watercraft. However, you will need to purchase a Water Usage stamp. Water Usage stamps may be purchased at any location selling Hunting or Fishing licenses. They may not be purchased online or over the phone.

Like I said earlier. It's not a boat registration registration. It's a Water Usage fee regardless evens if they take the same information as a typical registration. It's nice that MN will recognize it as a canoe registration. But in IL your Out of State registration will not count as a water usage sticker. I'm not sure if it still is this way, but any type of boat using the Chain Of Lakes area had to pay an additional fee just to use that waterway.

Yes, all canoes, kayaks, etc are required to have an Illinois Water Usage Stamp if used on public waterways in Illinois.

This message has had HTML content edited out of it.
Rather than continue to discuss my personal interpretation of Illinois law, I decided to send an email to the IL-DNR to see how they would respond.

My email to the DNR:
"Question/comment: An acquaintance wants to bring his canoe that is registered in Ohio to use in Illinois for a few days. Is there a reciprocity agreement in place with Ohio regarding watercraft registration, or will he have to buy a Water Usage Stamp?"

The DNR's reply:
"From: "DNR.Watercraft"
Subject: FW: Contact DNR: Confirmation ID 280193 (Registration, Watercraft)
Date: June 10, 2017 7:32:52 AM CDT
The watercraft may be utilized in Illinois for 60 consecutive days with a current and valid Ohio registration."

I got the reply in less than 24 hours. If you are out of state and want something definitive to give to some officer who tells you to buy a stamp, you could send the IL-DNR a similar email and print the reply. A link exists on the IL-DNR web pages to ask them questions.

Regarding the Chain O'Lakes (from the IL-DNR Park Activities ):
"Boating: A user fee issued by the Fox Waterway Agency is required for all boats using the Chain O’Lakes."

Seems kind of vague. Did he mean you can use an Ohio registration for 60 days then after that time you have to get an Illinois registration? Or did he mean your Ohio restoration also counts as a water usage sticker for 60 days?

This is dealing with government in Illinois, which if you live here you must have an inkling its mostly dysfunctional and almost entirely corrupt. I asked the DNR a question similar to Ausable's and they sent me this: Boat Digest 2017

It does say if your watercraft is registered elsewhere it doesn't have to be registered in Illinois if used for less than 60 days a year on Illinois water and that unpowered watercraft don't have to be registered. But then says all unpowered watercraft have to have a water usage stamp. Clear as mud, just as I've come to expect from Illinois.

quote Blatz: "Seems kind of vague. Did he mean you can use an Ohio registration for 60 days then after that time you have to get an Illinois registration? Or did he mean your Ohio registration also counts as a water usage sticker for 60 days?"

I think he means "yes" to both of your questions.
If I remember correctly, paddling groups lobbied for the 1-year water stamp as a replacement for the 3-year boat registration. The resulting confusion demonstrates the "law" of unintended consequences. Canoe owners can still choose to title & register their boats instead of buying water usage stamps. For out-of-state people, the obvious and cheapest choice would be to buy a water usage stamp after the 60 consecutive days.

So I am in IL.

I originally registered my MNIII before the new water usage stamp.

When that expired, I was still able to register it the old way. Got another regular boat registration without buying a Water Usage stamp.

The Web Site will still let you do it.

Is there an old style sticker or do you need all the numbers?

quote Corsair: "So I am in IL.


I originally registered my MNIII before the new water usage stamp.


When that expired, I was still able to register it the old way. Got another regular boat registration without buying a Water Usage stamp.


The Web Site will still let you do it.


"

Yes because if you put a motor on your canoe you have to register it this way and have the numbers on it.

quote billconner: "Is there an old style sticker or do you need all the numbers?"

You get the old style sticker and still have to have the numbers on it. Just like all the power boats have to.

quote OldFingers57: "

quote billconner: "Is there an old style sticker or do you need all the numbers?"

You get the old style sticker and still have to have the numbers on it. Just like all the power boats have to."

I do not have the numbers on mine.



You can debate about needing the numbers.


But having the regular sticker satisfies weather or not MN will accept the water stamp or not.

Never had a problem with not having the numbers in IL. DuPage Forrest Ranger saw the regular sticker and was satisfied.

So you say it is powered and move on, correct? Once in three years does seem simpler and IIRC costs the same.

I can't wait for some ranger in IL to claim I need a water usage stamp even with a full registration because I don't have a motor.

quote billconner: "So you say it is powered and move on, correct? Once in three years does seem simpler and IIRC costs the same.


I can't wait for some ranger in IL to claim I need a water usage stamp even with a full registration because I don't have a motor."

To be honest, I don't remember If I claimed it was powered or not. But yes, once every 3 makes life a lot simpler.

You do need a water usage stamp for your canoe in Il. You can get it at any bait shop or place that sells fishing licenses. Last year it was $3.50. This year it is $6.50. Go figure.

I have the 3 year on mine as well. Not sure which route I'll go at the end of next year when it'll be renewal time.

I had gotten told by one of the local Illinois DNR guys that even though I had the 3 yr tag on and it wasn't expired yet that I would still need to get the Water Usage Stamp. I didn't bother arguing with him as I didn't feel like getting a ticket over $3.50.

June 12,2017
CO Marty Stage (Ely) reports many canoes are seen each day in Ely lacking required registration, but there are many points of entry into the BWCAW, so enforcement continues to be a problem.

quote Pinetree: "June 12,2017
CO Marty Stage (Ely) reports many canoes are seen each day in Ely lacking required registration, but there are many points of entry into the BWCAW, so enforcement continues to be a problem. "

I have my kayaks registered in Wisconsin. This is voluntary registration as Wisconsin law does not require canoe or kayak registration. Therefore, I'm not required to apply my registration stickers to the boat.
It is my understanding that all I need to do is carry is my proof of registration in MN, and not need to apply the stickers to comply with the law.
To an observer, it would appear that I'm paddling without registration, even though I'm legally registered.

For what it's worth, I've never been asked about my boat registration when stopped by USFS rangers in the BWCA, but since they are Federal and not State, they probably don't care much about enforcing state regulations. They only checked my entry permit.

Two years ago, I was at the EP 16 parking lot and there was a MN DNR officer there checking registrations. He stopped a group from entering that did not have a current registration. I suspect they had to drive into town and fix it.

overland: "I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?"

I found this thread and after doing some research today (January 25, 2018), below is a quote from the Minnesota DNR website:

A watercraft license is not required for:
Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html

So for us Illinoisans (or anyone not from MN) visiting the BWCA, you don't have to have a boat license for your canoe so long as your state does not require a license.

Kendis: "

overland: "I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?"

I found this thread and after doing some research today (January 25, 2018), below is a quote from the Minnesota DNR website:


A watercraft license is not required for:
Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.


http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html


So for us Illinoisans (or anyone not from MN) visiting the BWCA, you don't have to have a boat license for your canoe so long as your state does not require a license."

Boy, am I glad you posted this. You just saved me some $. I just bought a canoe and fully intended to register it here in Wisco so I could legally paddle it in MN. Wisco does not require me to register it.

Kendis: "

overland: "I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?"

I found this thread and after doing some research today (January 25, 2018), below is a quote from the Minnesota DNR website:


A watercraft license is not required for:
Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.


http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html


So for us Illinoisans (or anyone not from MN) visiting the BWCA, you don't have to have a boat license for your canoe so long as your state does not require a license."

IIRC this was mentioned in another thread but thank you. It begs the question that if you own a canoe and keep it in Illinois most of the time but never put it in water in Illinois, is no registration nor stamp required ever?

Porkeater: "Two years ago, I was at the EP 16 parking lot and there was a MN DNR officer there checking registrations. He stopped a group from entering that did not have a current registration. I suspect they had to drive into town and fix it. "

And that WAS correct; but that all changed last summer. As a matter of fact, the rules changed about 10 days AFTER I bought my new permit in Grand Marais (LOL)!

billconner: "

Kendis: "

overland: "I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?"

I found this thread and after doing some research today (January 25, 2018), below is a quote from the Minnesota DNR website:



A watercraft license is not required for:
Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.



http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html



So for us Illinoisans (or anyone not from MN) visiting the BWCA, you don't have to have a boat license for your canoe so long as your state does not require a license."

IIRC this was mentioned in another thread but thank you. It begs the question that if you own a canoe and keep it in Illinois most of the time but never put it in water in Illinois, is no registration nor stamp required ever?"

You only have to purchase a water use stamp if you actually put your canoe in the water, so I think you are correct that you would never have to register or purchase a stamp.

Kendis: "

billconner: "

Kendis: "

overland: "I have my canoe in Illinois, which does not require canoes to be titled or registered. Do I have to register or license it in Minnesota for a trip in the BWCA?"

I found this thread and after doing some research today (January 25, 2018), below is a quote from the Minnesota DNR website:



A watercraft license is not required for:
Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.



http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/watercraft/index.html



So for us Illinoisans (or anyone not from MN) visiting the BWCA, you don't have to have a boat license for your canoe so long as your state does not require a license."

IIRC this was mentioned in another thread but thank you. It begs the question that if you own a canoe and keep it in Illinois most of the time but never put it in water in Illinois, is no registration nor stamp required ever?"

You only have to purchase a water use stamp if you actually put your canoe in the water, so I think you are correct that you would never have to register or purchase a stamp."

Kind of strange since the MN DNR said they would accept the Illinois "stamp" as a registration, when they required it.

I found a 11 year old list of states that require registration: Ohio, Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma, Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Looking at just privately owned non-motorized canoes, Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania seem to no longer require registration. Both IL and PA require a stamp or permit for at least some in state use. Some states exempt canoes shorter than I own: under 13 or 14 ft is exempted in at least Iowa; under 10' in MN, and others. It seems you are just stuck in Ohio, as are residents of Minnesota and Iowa. Iowa seems to have the same catch 22 as MN did - don't have to be registered in Iowa if "properly registered" in your home state.

I know its government but does it have to be so confusing?

As an updated specific to Illinoisans - I purchased my water usage stamp today and the stamps are printing "17" instead of "18" in the authorization year (the big bold numbers on your label). This is a known issue by DNR and their rangers will not ding you for it. Note that even if your stamp says "17" the expiration date listed below "17" still says 12/31/2018.