Does a person in the stern need a fishing license if their job is to steer the canoe or just keep it on site of preference? If children are involved, what about assisting them with bait or other needs not related to the actual casting or retrieving the bait? Other in canoe person may or may not be a license holder in the 3rd seat.

My understanding is, if you're assisting children with their fishing (baiting hooks in your example), you would need a fishing license.

It looks like you need a license if you are a non-resident. If you are a resident and your child is under 16 as I read it you would be okay. I would just get a license, what if the line gets snagged and the parent is using the pole? How likely is it for the parent not to fish? As far as keeping fish, bag limits I believe only apply to per license. For example if you have a license and your 12 year is with you—they do not need a license but you can only keep 1 limit.

“Requirements
To legally fish in Minnesota, all residents of Minnesota, age 16 to 89, must have a current Minnesota fishing license unless an exemption applies (see ‘Who doesn’t need a fishing license?’). You must carry your license when traveling from an area where you were fishing. All non-residents need a license except those age 15 and younger do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed.

Who doesn't need a fishing license?

Residents younger than 16
Residents 90 and older
Minnesota residents enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed outside the state, and home on leave (you must carry leave or furlough papers while fishing or transporting fish)
A Minnesota resident who has served in federal active service outside the U.S. during the preceding 24 months and is now discharged from overseas duty (you must carry discharge papers while fishing or transporting fish)
An in-patient of a U.S. Veterans Administration hospital (form needed to filled out)
A resident of a Minnesota licensed nursing or boarding care home”

If you are a resident with no license, your child (IF A RESIDENT) under 16 can fish and is entitled to their own limit. You are not supposed to assist them in any way.
If a resident with a license, you and your child under 16 may EACH keep a limit.
If a non resident, either you or the child will need a license and the limit is inclusive (one limit)
If you are a non-resident with a family license, every member (children under 15 years old) are entitled to their own limit.
A non resident youth 13 to 15 or younger? may purchase their own license, and is entitled to their own limit even if the parents do not have a license. I believe that license is about $5 or a bit more, and their name and information will always be in the Minnesota DNR system,
If you are a licensed resident, and fishing with a non resident grandchild/child? under 15, they will need a license.

Thanks TGO!

T