The subject of possible registration fees for canoes and kayaks in Wisconsin will be discussed at the 2022 spring DNR meetings. (Note: Wisconsin does NOT currently require canoes and kayaks to be registered.)

Legislative Committee
37-38. Canoe & Kayak Registration (330421) (requires legislation)
There are approximately 200,000 canoes and kayaks in Wisconsin, none of which are required to be registered. The majority of states surrounding Wisconsin have a registration requirement and fee. Every year canoes and kayaks are found floating on our lakes and rivers with no way of knowing who owns them or if someone has gone missing or may be hurt. This potentially puts our emergency personnel at risk and takes up valuable time. Requiring registration of nonmotorized boats could enhance safety. The fee could generate revenue which may only be used for safety efforts.

37. Do you favor the DNR and the NRB working with the Legislature to create a registration system and fee for canoes and kayaks? The system would take into consideration individuals and businesses with multiple canoes and kayaks (camps, rentals, etc).

38. Do you favor requiring contact information for the owner placed on of canoes and kayaks with no fee associated (similar to the requirements for tree stands, traps, and ice shacks)

As I understand it, only watercraft that are motorized needs to be registered. It cost $22.00 to register a canoe and is good for 3 years, so cost wise I don't have a problem, but I don't want to be lumped in with motor craft and their regulations ie fire extinguisher, throwing device, navigation lights etc. Registration as a means of clarifying ownership I'm all in favor of ( for non-motorized craft. )

NOPE! Just another revenue (tax) grab. Put your name, address, phone number on the canoe or kayak. This information could be placed on the bow plate. This is NOT about safety. There are other ways to solve the problem, if one really exists.
Will non-residents be required to register in Wisconsin? My state does not require registration. When I brought my canoe to the BWCA, Minnesota required me to register my canoe in Minnesota.

Merlyn, I don't think anyone is suggesting that canoes and kayaks should have fire extinguishers, navigation lights, etc. That's pretty silly.

And flytyer, I agree... it's a money grab and a solution looking for a problem. There is no need for this.

Yeah, I would not be in favor of this. I would guess finding canoes or kayaks would not be all that common and as suggested there would be ways to get in touch with the owner and check in.

I would rather that they encourage registration for the reasons they state, but not require it. I know, who would do it if not required to.

If I remember correctly years ago MN required registration for canoes even if they were from non- registration states. So we registered our canoe in WI. I know MN no longer requires it but we have kept it up for those times we need it in other states. Not all our canoes, just the one we travel with.

Not in favor until all details have been disclosed. As I recall in the past registration of paddle craft has been proposed in the legislature but was dropped after popular resistance. One of the complaints was that the revenues realized from registration would not be dedicated to enhancing paddling access, etc but instead to put into a general fund. I would have to agree that unless revenues were to be dedicated to paddles sports it would be nothing more than a cash grab.

Lastly, this effort is likely now dead due to the legislature being out of session until next year.

I voluntarily register my canoes in Wisconsin and am in favor of it remaining optional for many of the reasons stated. There are good points about any funding being dedicated to canoe access/improvements. I also agree it is likely not an issue with the legislature out for the session as well as a projected financial surplus, although that can change in a hurry. All the more reason for the ice to melt and trippin' season to begin!

merlyn: "As I understand it, only watercraft that are motorized needs to be registered. It cost $22.00 to register a canoe and is good for 3 years, so cost wise I don't have a problem, but I don't want to be lumped in with motor craft and their regulations ie fire extinguisher, throwing device, navigation lights etc. Registration as a means of clarifying ownership I'm all in favor of ( for non-motorized craft. )"

Voluntary registration of a canoe in Wisconsin is $11, which is good for three years. I have 5 of them registered. And my daughter has one.

Many years ago, if you wanted to register a canoe in Wisconsin, your only option was to register your canoe as a boat. I wrote a letter to the Wisconsin DNR explaining to them that to use my canoe in the BWCA, I had to register it with Minnesota, and pay the Minnesota the registration fee. I suggested to them that they come up with a voluntary registration option so that the fee would go to the Wisconsin DNR. They liked the idea so much that they sent me my first Wisconsin canoe registration AT NO CHARGE, along with a thank you letter for the idea.

Whats a few bucks every other year, you say? I am a resident of WI currently I have 9 kayaks and 5 canoes, I will not comply, just another solution to a non existent problem, all these abandoned canoes and kayaks clogging up our waterways???

I do not see any need to register canoes. I too registered my boats when Minnesota required it. I was happy when Minnesota dropped this requirement.

Don't worry, we WI residents pay plenty of fees to support our government agencies.

nooneuno: "Whats a few bucks every other year, you say? I am a resident of WI currently I have 9 kayaks and 5 canoes, I will not comply, just another solution to a non existent problem, all these abandoned canoes and kayaks clogging up our waterways???"

+1

I’m not a WI resident but it’s just another tax. Once they get that money from you, it will only go up in price and proceeds will go to things not originally specified in the original tax, just like what they did in MN.

We pay the registration fee.
On top of that we pay an invasive species surcharge.
On top of that we pay an ‘issuing fee’

In the end, less than half the money you pay for a MN boat license is actually used for it’s original purpose.

It’s probably due to this Abandoned canoe If only this canoe was registered!

timatkn: "It’s probably due to this Abandoned canoe If only this canoe was registered!"

Too funny!

timatkn: "It’s probably due to this Abandoned canoe If only this canoe was registered!"

It said "Old Town" on the side.

Anybody who would vote for this should face a primary challenger in the next election.

Jackfish: "Merlyn, I don't think anyone is suggesting that canoes and kayaks should have fire extinguishers, navigation lights, etc. That's pretty silly.


And flytyer, I agree... it's a money grab and a solution looking for a problem. There is no need for this."

I agree it appears to be silly but never under estimate the collective stupidity of a bureaucracy and their ability to bring chaos to the simplest things.

LesliesDad: "

merlyn: "As I understand it, only watercraft that are motorized needs to be registered. It cost $22.00 to register a canoe and is good for 3 years, so cost wise I don't have a problem, but I don't want to be lumped in with motor craft and their regulations ie fire extinguisher, throwing device, navigation lights etc. Registration as a means of clarifying ownership I'm all in favor of ( for non-motorized craft. )"

Voluntary registration of a canoe in Wisconsin is $11, which is good for three years. I have 5 of them registered. And my daughter has one.

Many years ago, if you wanted to register a canoe in Wisconsin, your only option was to register your canoe as a boat. I wrote a letter to the Wisconsin DNR explaining to them that to use my canoe in the BWCA, I had to register it with Minnesota, and pay the Minnesota the registration fee. I suggested to them that they come up with a voluntary registration option so that the fee would go to the Wisconsin DNR. They liked the idea so much that they sent me my first Wisconsin canoe registration AT NO CHARGE, along with a thank you letter for the idea."

Thanks for the info, I just received my registration form and it says $22. When I first began to register my canoes it was so I could use a small motor on them. I will try and get that changed.

merlyn: "

LesliesDad: "

merlyn: "As I understand it, only watercraft that are motorized needs to be registered. It cost $22.00 to register a canoe and is good for 3 years, so cost wise I don't have a problem, but I don't want to be lumped in with motor craft and their regulations ie fire extinguisher, throwing device, navigation lights etc. Registration as a means of clarifying ownership I'm all in favor of ( for non-motorized craft. )"

Voluntary registration of a canoe in Wisconsin is $11, which is good for three years. I have 5 of them registered. And my daughter has one.


Many years ago, if you wanted to register a canoe in Wisconsin, your only option was to register your canoe as a boat. I wrote a letter to the Wisconsin DNR explaining to them that to use my canoe in the BWCA, I had to register it with Minnesota, and pay the Minnesota the registration fee. I suggested to them that they come up with a voluntary registration option so that the fee would go to the Wisconsin DNR. They liked the idea so much that they sent me my first Wisconsin canoe registration AT NO CHARGE, along with a thank you letter for the idea."

Thanks for the info, I just received my registration form and it says $22. When I first began to register my canoes it was so I could use a small motor on them. I will try and get that changed."

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

FYI - Besides the past MN registration requirement for the BWCA, I voluntarily register my canoes so that I have proof of ownership. 40 years ago I had an unregistered canoe stolen from my cabin. My chances of ever getting it back was ZERO. I now have 4 homebuilt strippers. I sleep a little better knowing that if any of them are stolen, and I find the culprit, I have proof that I'm the rightful owner.

What’s next? Register my couch. We shouldn’t be lemmings. We shouldn’t jump off the roof just because everyone else around us does. But as facts consistently show, we are lemmings.

What American’s need now is a smaller to-do list, not a larger one cooked up by overpaid incompetent ideologues.

Note to self: With my 5 canoes registration fees would be $110; also, at $3.80 per gallon to get to lakes, fishing licenses, park permits, tows, wear and tear on my vehicle, etc. — estimating total costs increases at several hundred this year alone. So, find time to reflect: Consider abandoning this hobby and spending savings on strippers, booze, and medical grade hash instead. This way those in favor of the fee and I can both be “happy”.

This is a question at the Wisconsin Conservative Congress spring hearings. It doesn't matter if legislators are out of session until next year. If questions are voted on here, by the public, and pass, they can become law in the future. They get voted on here, go through the Natural Resources Board, and can pass there. They then can go on to become a law the following year. So if you oppose this, please put your voting power to action and go to the spring hearings. They are normally held in every county in the state. But due to the pandemic, I'm not sure if there are any in-person locations this year. There is info about attending online this year. It says the online option begins April 11 and is open for the days, until April 14 at 7 pm.

This is your opportunity to have your say. You can't complain when it becomes a law if you don't vote now.


Link to hearing

Hearings held online

RunningFox: "What’s next? Register my couch. We shouldn’t be lemmings. We shouldn’t jump off the roof just because everyone else around us does. But as facts consistently show, we are lemmings.


What American’s need now is a smaller to-do list, not a larger one cooked up by overpaid incompetent ideologues.


Note to self: With my 5 canoes registration fees would be $110; also, at $3.80 per gallon to get to lakes, fishing licenses, park permits, tows, wear and tear on my vehicle, etc. — estimating total costs increases at several hundred this year alone. So, find time to reflect: Consider abandoning this hobby and spending savings on strippers, booze, and medical grade hash instead. This way those in favor of the fee and I can both be “happy”."

I would recommend you stay with your current hobby. $110 wouldn't go far on strippers, booze, and hash.

Jakthund: "

RunningFox: "What’s next? Register my couch. We shouldn’t be lemmings. We shouldn’t jump off the roof just because everyone else around us does. But as facts consistently show, we are lemmings.



What American’s need now is a smaller to-do list, not a larger one cooked up by overpaid incompetent ideologues.



Note to self: With my 5 canoes registration fees would be $110; also, at $3.80 per gallon to get to lakes, fishing licenses, park permits, tows, wear and tear on my vehicle, etc. — estimating total costs increases at several hundred this year alone. So, find time to reflect: Consider abandoning this hobby and spending savings on strippers, booze, and medical grade hash instead. This way those in favor of the fee and I can both be “happy”."

I would recommend you stay with your current hobby. $110 wouldn't go far on strippers, booze, and hash."

Just to clarify, to voluntarily register a non-motorized canoe with the Wisconsin DNR is $11 for 3 years. :-)

Goldenbadger: Thank you for this info. I put the hearings on my calendar.

Anybody know if other states require inflatable or folding kayaks to be registered?

If elected, I will require fire suppression systems in all canoes and kayaks, which can be purchased and installed by Mauly, Inc. for a mere how-much-ya-got and only weigh 349 pounds.

Vote for Miss Molly!

A bailer easily does double duty as a fire extinguisher so there is that.

What if it was a one time fee of $?? For the duration of ownership?

Jakthund: "

RunningFox: "What’s next? Register my couch. We shouldn’t be lemmings. We shouldn’t jump off the roof just because everyone else around us does. But as facts consistently show, we are lemmings.



What American’s need now is a smaller to-do list, not a larger one cooked up by overpaid incompetent ideologues.



Note to self: With my 5 canoes registration fees would be $110; also, at $3.80 per gallon to get to lakes, fishing licenses, park permits, tows, wear and tear on my vehicle, etc. — estimating total costs increases at several hundred this year alone. So, find time to reflect: Consider abandoning this hobby and spending savings on strippers, booze, and medical grade hash instead. This way those in favor of the fee and I can both be “happy”."

I would recommend you stay with your current hobby. $110 wouldn't go far on strippers, booze, and hash."

You've not been to Venezuela lately.....

deepdish71: "What if it was a one time fee of $?? For the duration of ownership? "

They do that with trailers in Minnesota now. A one time fee for a trailer license. Sadly, they could do that with a lot of other things too but the income stream is too lucrative.

They really tax the hell out of us in Minnesota. It’s really a sham. And I’m a democrat!

Oddly, they do not tax coffee. Folgers must have some amazing lobbyists.

deepdish71: "What if it was a one time fee of $?? For the duration of ownership? "

No way it would ever stay a one time fee if they implement this. Once it starts it only grows,

Chieflonewatie: "

deepdish71: "What if it was a one time fee of $?? For the duration of ownership? "

No way it would ever stay a one time fee if they implement this. Once it starts it only grows, "

I tend to agree with you. The Government is always looking for new tax revenue.

In Wisconsin if you own an unmodified automobile or motorcycle that's more than 20 years old you can get "Collector plates" for it. It's a one time registration fee for as long as you own the vehicle. There is a restriction that you can't drive it on the street in the month of January (or maybe it's February, I don't remember off-hand).

They already have a one time fee called taxes.

No I would not be in favor of this. As others have stated just another tax that is not necessary. It also has the potential of being used for sales tax transactions when someone wants to sell that registered canoe or kayak to a friend for cash. Less government, more outdoor enjoyment!

nooneuno: "

Jakthund: "

RunningFox: "What’s next? Register my couch. We shouldn’t be lemmings. We shouldn’t jump off the roof just because everyone else around us does. But as facts consistently show, we are lemmings.



What American’s need now is a smaller to-do list, not a larger one cooked up by overpaid incompetent ideologues.



Note to self: With my 5 canoes registration fees would be $110; also, at $3.80 per gallon to get to lakes, fishing licenses, park permits, tows, wear and tear on my vehicle, etc. — estimating total costs increases at several hundred this year alone. So, find time to reflect: Consider abandoning this hobby and spending savings on strippers, booze, and medical grade hash instead. This way those in favor of the fee and I can both be “happy”."

I would recommend you stay with your current hobby. $110 wouldn't go far on strippers, booze, and hash."

You've not been to Venezuela lately....."

No, never been there, but seems like the airfare would break the budget.

Thanks fellow canoeists for helping me understand that I won’t save much if I abandon my addiction to canoeing. Because of you I didn’t cancel the $3,000 Swift canoe that I ordered a few weeks ago . . . just so’s I could save a measly $22 bucks. The Swift is gonna join the other two $3,000 canoes in my garage that I purchased since 2017.

My inability to think clearly is likely genetic, and goes back before time began. Maybe a couple of years earlier, even. I must remind myself to slow down, listen more, and follow the lead of others superior to me. So, I acquiesce: bring on the fee Gov. Evers. I’m ready and willing!

May I suggest we expand the registration fee to other flotation devices: inter-tubes, water skies, swim buoys, and even life jackets? Maybe swim suits too? Why not apply our rationale to these dangerous items as well? Lots of people drown when they put on a swim suit. Right?

Together, these small, totally harmless fees will ensure that WIsconsin’s water rescue teams are well endowed and professional (think Baywatch!). Makes me wanna hot the water right now!

I wonder if you know what I’m talk’in about?

It's not the fee that bothers me so much. It's the requirement of a title for boats greater than 16ft required to voluntarily register canoes.

Unless that has changed.

When buying used canoes, rarely if ever, is there a title to go with it.

I tried registering an old sundowner a few years back, and was unable to.

RunningFox: "Thanks fellow canoeists for helping me understand that I won’t save much if I abandon my addiction to canoeing. Because of you I didn’t cancel the $3,000 Swift canoe that I ordered a few weeks ago . . . just so’s I could save a measly $22 bucks. The Swift is gonna join the other two $3,000 canoes in my garage that I purchased since 2017.


My inability to think clearly is likely genetic, and goes back before time began. Maybe a couple of years earlier, even. I must remind myself to slow down, listen more, and follow the lead of others superior to me. So, I acquiesce: bring on the fee Gov. Evers. I’m ready and willing!


May I suggest we expand the registration fee to other flotation devices: inter-tubes, water skies, swim buoys, and even life jackets? Maybe swim suits too? Why not apply our rationale to these dangerous items as well? Lots of people drown when they put on a swim suit. Right?


Together, these small, totally harmless fees will ensure that WIsconsin’s water rescue teams are well endowed and professional (think Baywatch!). Makes me wanna hot the water right now!


I wonder if you know what I’m talk’in about?"

Who is "you" and why are you so insulting to anybody who might disagree with you or merely point out that $110 doesn't go far on your other recreations?
Just because others (not me) take a stance you don't agree with does not make them lemmings or too ignorant to understand your rants.

HayRiverDrifter: "I do not see any need to register canoes. I too registered my boats when Minnesota required it. I was happy when Minnesota dropped this requirement.

Don't worry, we WI residents pay plenty of fees to support our government agencies."

Agreed! We registered our canoes when Minnesota required it and was more than happy when they dropped the requirement.

Wisconsin doesn't need to add this to our already way too high taxes and fees.

RunningFox: "Thanks fellow canoeists for helping me understand that I won’t save much if I abandon my addiction to canoeing. Because of you I didn’t cancel the $3,000 Swift canoe that I ordered a few weeks ago . . . just so’s I could save a measly $22 bucks. The Swift is gonna join the other two $3,000 canoes in my garage that I purchased since 2017.


My inability to think clearly is likely genetic, and goes back before time began. Maybe a couple of years earlier, even. I must remind myself to slow down, listen more, and follow the lead of others superior to me. So, I acquiesce: bring on the fee Gov. Evers. I’m ready and willing!


May I suggest we expand the registration fee to other flotation devices: inter-tubes, water skies, swim buoys, and even life jackets? Maybe swim suits too? Why not apply our rationale to these dangerous items as well? Lots of people drown when they put on a swim suit. Right?


Together, these small, totally harmless fees will ensure that WIsconsin’s water rescue teams are well endowed and professional (think Baywatch!). Makes me wanna hot the water right now!


I wonder if you know what I’m talk’in about?"

You must impress yourself everyday for being so smart.

HoriconMarshPaddler: "It's not the fee that bothers me so much. It's the requirement of a title for boats greater than 16ft required to voluntarily register canoes.


Unless that has changed.


When buying used canoes, rarely if ever, is there a title to go with it.


I tried registering an old sundowner a few years back, and was unable to."

I could always be wrong, but I think you can talk the WI DNR out of requiring a title to voluntarily register your canoe. I've registered 1 Old Town and 5 homemade strippers, none of which have a title. The canoe does need a hull number, and a bill of sale would probably help too. ;-)

Years ago, I was out on Lake Michigan in my kayak on a cold day. Decided to build a fire to keep warm. The fire burnt through the hull and into the water I went.

Just goes to show that I can't have my kayak and heat it too;-)

p.s. maybe I should have had a fire extinguisher.

p.p.s. Just to make clear in advance, this is a joke, did not really happen.

Chicagored: "Years ago, I was out on Lake Michigan in my kayak on a cold day. Decided to build a fire to keep warm. The fire burnt through the hull and into the water I went.


Just goes to show that I can't have my kayak and heat it too;-)


p.s. maybe I should have had a fire extinguisher.


p.p.s. Just to make clear in advance, this is a joke, did not really happen."

LOL! And if the bill hits the floor in the legislature, this can be your expert testimony!

Just a reminder that the public commentary window is closing.

I have to pay registration fees in Iowa! It's only fair that Wisconsinites should have to pay registration fees too!

Captn Tony: "I have to pay registration fees in Iowa! It's only fair that Wisconsinites should have to pay registration fees too!"

Move to Wisconsin.

Captn Tony: "I have to pay registration fees in Iowa! It's only fair that Wisconsinites should have to pay registration fees too!"

How 'bout repealing the taxes in Iowa? That sounds fair to me.