BWCA Canoe registration (again, sorry) Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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onepaddleshort
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07/19/2018 09:59AM  
I know I've read that if your home state doesn't require canoe registration that you no longer need it for the BWCA. However, I can't find that anywhere. Even this site under the planning page says you need to have the canoe registered.

I'm taking a group in next week and one of the guys is bringing his own canoe and is concerned that he needs to get it registered in the next couple days. One of my canoes isn't registered either and I'll have to do so too if I'm wrong about this.

I'm not giving bad advice by saying he doesn't need to. Am I?

 
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07/19/2018 10:26AM  
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."

Right from the Minnesota DNR.
 
MatteMatt
member (19)member
  
07/19/2018 10:27AM  
Boats registered in another state don't need to be registered in Minnesota if they're used for less than 90 days in the state. 2018 Boating Regulations Page 5.

I'm not sure how it works for states that don't require registration, it's not clear on that. I think they still require some form of identification to show they're from another state, like Illinois' water usage stamp.

I'd probably call the MN DNR to double-check what they look for with that. (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR.
 
onepaddleshort
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07/19/2018 10:36AM  
It makes it confusing because the boating guide contradicts what the DNR site says. The boating guide says:

"Exceptions to this law are as follows:
• Watercraft currently registered in another
state and not kept in Minnesota for more
than 90 consecutive days."

However, as long as I can point to one source for my information I'll go with that.

Thanks!

 
07/19/2018 11:13AM  
As long as the canoes are registered properly based on your home states requirements (or not registered because your home state doesn't require it) and your canoes will be in Minnesota less than 90 days you're in the clear.

 
thebotanyguy
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07/19/2018 11:25AM  
If you are looking for an authoritative citation source, you should look at the Minnesota Statutes. The section relevant to your question is: 86B.301 WATERCRAFT LICENSES REQUIRED,
subdivision 2 Exemptions.

"Subd. 2.Exemptions.

A watercraft license is not required for:

(1) a watercraft that is covered by a license or number in full force and effect under federal law or a federally approved licensing or numbering system of another state, or a watercraft that is owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing that type of watercraft, and the watercraft has not been within this state for more than 90 consecutive days, which does not include days that a watercraft is laid up at dock over winter or for repairs at a Lake Superior port or another port in the state;"

Citation link
 
onepaddleshort
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07/19/2018 01:52PM  
Thanks all,
I wasn't even thinking about it as I knew this had been covered. We had someone drop out so we're at an odd number- so my solo is coming and it has no sticker.

But I'm taking four gentleman who've never been to the Boundary Waters, one of which just bought a canoe with this trip in mind. I sure didn't want to give bad advice and leave him with some sort of a ticket on his first trip. Most of the sites haven't caught up to this new change and are still giving out the old rule that you do need to have it registered in either MN or your home state.

Thanks again.
 
07/19/2018 02:18PM  
Even if you went up with 1 canoe not properly registered the odds of getting caught and ticketed are pretty remote. I've only ever been checked by the Forest Service and all they want to see is permits and make sure you're following the BWCA rules, they don't care about DNR regulations.

I know DNR officers do patrol the BWCA but they are spread incredibly thin. You could travel the park for 5 lifetimes and never come across one.

Please people do not take this as I condone intentionally breaking the law because you won't get caught. I'm just saying do your best to adhere to the rules and if you inadvertently make a mistake don't lose sleep over it.

 
07/19/2018 07:37PM  
My only question on this is proof. I assume my name and address are on my permit, but do you think they'd push it so far as to have the bill of sale that proves the canoe is yours. I'm from Wi where no registration is required. I took a new to me boat up in June with no registration and had no trouble.....but I wasn't checked. After I got home, I got to wondering about the proof of ownership issue. Hope it's not in the fine print.....
 
andym
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07/20/2018 02:40AM  
I’ve bought plenty of canoes with no bill of sale or receipt. They were just an exchange of cash for a canoe. With a legally unregistered canoe in MN, I suggest just having some id with you or maybe the permit if it has your address is enough. This definitely makes it harder for DNR to check. While I’m from out of state, the canoes I use in MN live there and so are registered. I have been checked once in the BW. DNR was sitting on the side of the river between the Lake One EP and Kawishiwi lodge. They just said hi and thanks for making their job easy by having reg stickers and wearing our PFDs. If we hadn’t been wearing them then we would have had to show them. That was well before the rule change.
 
07/20/2018 08:46AM  
You're more likely to get stopped and checked on the drive to or from the BWCA than in the BWCA, IMO. The same rules apply if it's on the roof of your car. There are DNR checkpoints on highways periodically checking for invasive species; since I'm an MN resident with a sticker on the canoe they didn't ask me anything about my registration, but likely if you have other-state plates and no sticker on the canoe they'll ask you about it. I can't imagine it would be an issue as long as your car's plates match the state you say you're from that has no registration of canoes.
 
07/21/2018 10:42AM  
MatteMatt: "Boats registered in another state don't need to be registered in Minnesota if they're used for less than 90 days in the state. 2018 Boating Regulations Page 5.

I'm not sure how it works for states that don't require registration, it's not clear on that. I think they still require some form of identification to show they're from another state, like Illinois' water usage stamp.

I'd probably call the MN DNR to double-check what they look for with that. (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR."


Illinois' water usage stamp law was rescinded as of June 1, 2018. Illinois no longer requires any type of registration for paddle craft.
 
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