Definitely not a newbie to the BWCA. Anyway, going up in about two weeks, and have always purchased a 7-day from a Holiday or something similar. Today, I googled "Buying a Minnesota Fishing License on-line". And, I found out that you can. News to me, but it makes for one fewer stop when I head up there in a couple of weeks. All I need to do is stop by the ranger station, watch the video, answer "150 feet" for most distance questions to get my permit, and I am good to go! P.S., I am not a Minnesota resident.

Tomster

Well, keep in mind that every time you purchase any items for your canoe trip(including fishing licenses) over the internet, you take a few more dollars out of the economy of Grand Marais or Ely.

Buying your license online can be a time saver if you need to make a special stop for it, although most outfitters, bait shops, and gas stations sell them so if you're going to be stopping at any of them on your way up I think it makes sense to buy it locally.

I always just stop at Piragis and pick up my permit to the Boundary Waters and buy a fishing license while I am there.

quote The Great Outdoors: "Well, keep in mind that every time you purchase any items for your canoe trip(including fishing licenses) over the internet, you take a few more dollars out of the economy of Grand Marais or Ely."

Totally agree with what your are saying in general. I always make a point to spend a few dollars before and after my trips with the local shops. However, regarding a fishing license, does the vendor actually make any money from selling them--or do they have to turn it all over to the state?

A shop makes $1 per license at the time of the sale, the State actually pays us nothing. Most buy several other items when purchasing a license, so it adds up over time.

quote The Great Outdoors: "A shop makes $1 per license at the time of the sale, the State actually pays us nothing. Most buy several other items when purchasing a license, so it adds up over time."

Got it.