I thought I would just mention it. If you have kids and you're from Minnesota and when they grow up and maybe move out of state it might be a good idea for them to buy a lifetime resident fishing or sports license before they leave. That goes for anybody really.
You lock in a resident license fees even when you move out of state. A very good deal. No non resident fees and maybe the kids would come home more often.

Something to think about

My DIL did that a good move on her part.

I'm thinking of getting the lifetime license for my kids, one is just about to turn 3 and the other will be born in May. I'll have to make a decision in the next 14 months on the older one to get in before the price jumps up when she turns 4.

Them moving out of state when adults is one thing I was debating about. Its nice that it prevents from having to buy non-resident licenses but it also means they likely aren't using the lifetime license very often, maybe once a year at most. Its still a good deal just takes longer to break even.

We bought all 3 kids lifetime before they were 2 years old because it is so much cheaper then... at the time is was only 250$

quote Canoearoo: "We bought all 3 kids lifetime before they were 2 years old because it is so much cheaper then... at the time is was only 250$"

You win with inflation and if they do move to another state.
There is pro's and cons to be weighted by each individual.
Also do you go for the sportsmen license?

Great idea IF they bring you with fishing when they come back, otherwise you'll feel like you're competing with that damn fishing license for their affections. Besides, good children never move far from their parents.. (right son?)

we couldn't afford the sportsmans.. and I didn't know if they would like hunting as much as me. I figured if they wanted to small game hunt they could always buy that license

My dad bought my son a lifetime hunting license for his first birthday. He would have bought him a fishing license but he wants his grandson to take him out hunting when he gets older. The sooner you get it the cheaper it is. It makes for a great gesture. It also makes sense for my dad because he does not have to weigh the cost vs odds like I would. He can just buy it and feel good about how his grandson will have that for life. He also thinks it is practical because his dad (my grandpa) often says he would like to come out grouse hunting with us but can't justify the cost of the license for an afternoon of hunting.

My brother bought the sportsmans license when he moved to California. It makes sense because he would like to fish and hunt when he comes to visit, and this way he doesn't have to weigh the costs of buying one. I think the real value is that once you buy it you don't even have to think about how little you use it and if it is worth picking up that year.

quote A1t2o: "My dad bought my son a lifetime hunting license for his first birthday. He would have bought him a fishing license but he wants his grandson to take him out hunting when he gets older. The sooner you get it the cheaper it is. It makes for a great gesture. It also makes sense for my dad because he does not have to weigh the cost vs odds like I would. He can just buy it and feel good about how his grandson will have that for life. He also thinks it is practical because his dad (my grandpa) often says he would like to come out grouse hunting with us but can't justify the cost of the license for an afternoon of hunting.


My brother bought the sportsmans license when he moved to California. It makes sense because he would like to fish and hunt when he comes to visit, and this way he doesn't have to weigh the costs of buying one. I think the real value is that once you buy it you don't even have to think about how little you use it and if it is worth picking up that year."

good points

quote nofish: "I'm thinking of getting the lifetime license for my kids, one is just about to turn 3 and the other will be born in May. I'll have to make a decision in the next 14 months on the older one to get in before the price jumps up when she turns 4.


. "

Do it, it well be a great thing for them

I bought a lifetime license in MN last fall before I moved to AK.

The lifetime license is good even if you live in another state and have a fishing license and residency there. For me it works out especially good. I can get my AK residence license in the summers, but since I spend my winters in MN I can ice fish, when I'm down here and do not have to pay for an out of state MN license.

We got them for both our grandsons baptisms. We hope they will be fishermen someday! Marc

I own a lifetime sports license.. I got it when they first came out and compared to the cost now they were cheap. the first few years no one knew how to give me my license every spring... but now that they are common I don't have a problem.

I just picked one up this winter as well. It's a great deal.

quote Laketrout58: "We got them for both our grandsons baptisms. We hope they will be fishermen someday! Marc"

Great gift.

Just a bump and a thought to remind people if you have children maybe moving out of the state a lifetime license is a super bargain. Could save a bundle of money if they move out of stae and either way even if they stay in-state it is a good deal worth looking into.

I've had mine for 16 years now. I got one for each kid when they were born. I tell them they will never need to buy a fishing license, but they don't care yet lol.

Don't forget that the life time license has to be renewed every year you want to use it, this is free, but part of the process to fish legally.
Just go to a licence issuing station, your info will be in the system and they will print you out a paper license that you need to sign.

LindenTree: "Don't forget that the life time license has to be renewed every year you want to use it, this is free, but part of the process to fish legally.
Just go to a licence issuing station, your info will be in the system and they will print you out a paper license that you need to sign."

It would be nice if they could just put it on a driver's license, or give you a physical card instead of that flimsy easy-to-lose paper.

flynn: "

LindenTree: "Don't forget that the life time license has to be renewed every year you want to use it, this is free, but part of the process to fish legally.
Just go to a licence issuing station, your info will be in the system and they will print you out a paper license that you need to sign."

It would be nice if they could just put it on a driver's license, or give you a physical card instead of that flimsy easy-to-lose paper."

You CAN present just your driver's license at the issuing station and they can look up your lifetime DNR licenses from that. You still need to carry the paper license they give you each year while actually fishing just like everyone else, but you don't need to dig out your original stuff each year.

On a related note, I've been attempting to make the argument that it should be possible for a holder of a lifetime angling license to "upgrade" from that to a lifetime angling & spearing, sporting, or sporting with spearing license for just the difference in the prices if they get interested in other things later in life (but not "downgrades"). This isn't allowed under current law, so if you think that would be useful too please mention it to your legislators.

flynn: "

LindenTree: "Don't forget that the life time license has to be renewed every year you want to use it, this is free, but part of the process to fish legally.
Just go to a licence issuing station, your info will be in the system and they will print you out a paper license that you need to sign."

It would be nice if they could just put it on a driver's license, or give you a physical card instead of that flimsy easy-to-lose paper."

A separate plastic card is a excellent idea. Ontario gives you a plastic card for my 3 year fishing card-non resident.

tonyyarusso: "On a related note, I've been attempting to make the argument that it should be possible for a holder of a lifetime angling license to "upgrade" from that to a lifetime angling & spearing, sporting, or sporting with spearing license for just the difference in the prices if they get interested in other things later in life (but not "downgrades"). This isn't allowed under current law, so if you think that would be useful too please mention it to your legislators."

I would think there would be little opposition for that to happen. Someone like the legislature or DNR just got to get the ball rolling.

A1t2o: "My dad bought my son a lifetime hunting license for his first birthday. He would have bought him a fishing license but he wants his grandson to take him out hunting when he gets older. The sooner you get it the cheaper it is. It makes for a great gesture. It also makes sense for my dad because he does not have to weigh the cost vs odds like I would. He can just buy it and feel good about how his grandson will have that for life. He also thinks it is practical because his dad (my grandpa) often says he would like to come out grouse hunting with us but can't justify the cost of the license for an afternoon of hunting.


My brother bought the sportsmans license when he moved to California. It makes sense because he would like to fish and hunt when he comes to visit, and this way he doesn't have to weigh the costs of buying one. I think the real value is that once you buy it you don't even have to think about how little you use it and if it is worth picking up that year."

Good points

Mine and the kids all came with a plastic card. But on it, it says to use your license not the card. They also all came with a commemorative coin and a certificate

Oh and fleet farm can never figure out how to print mine off. They always need to call a manager. One time a cashier just printed off hunting stamps (I have a sportsmans)

Canoearoo: "Oh and fleet farm can never figure out how to print mine off. They always need to call a manager. One time a cashier just printed off hunting stamps (I have a sportsmans)"

To much new help and high turnover of people.

Old topic but still relevant-with MN DNR Fishing-Hunting license going up in price probably next year, it is a great time to buy a lifetime license for your kids or maybe yourself.
Also, if your children move out of state, they still have a resident license-no non-resident fees. Your children would probably be more likely to come home and fish or hunt.

Great deal for many

Pinetree:
Also, if your children move out of state, they still have a resident license-no non-resident fees. Your children would probably be more likely to come home and fish or hunt."

FYI: Pinetree, just to clarify something.

If a person gets a lifetime fishing license in MN as a MN resident then moves to another state and gets a fishing license as a resident in that state you may be in possession of two resident fishing licenses at the same time. This is not allowed.

What do you do?

Every year the MN lifetime license needs to be renewed (free of Charge), when one does that they need to have your old home addy on the MN lifetime license changed to your new place of residence in their new state.
One does not have to be contacted by a CO/LEO for any reason, many state computers talk to each other and it will get flagged.

This lack of forethought on my part cost me a 300 dollar fine to the state of Alaska even though there was no financial gain to me for this since I had the free lifetime license in MN.

LindenTree: "

Pinetree:
Also, if your children move out of state, they still have a resident license-no non-resident fees. Your children would probably be more likely to come home and fish or hunt."

FYI: Pinetree, just to clarify something.


If a person gets a lifetime fishing license in MN as a MN resident then moves to another state and gets a fishing license as a resident in that state you may be in possession of two resident fishing licenses at the same time. This is not allowed.


What do you do?


Every year the MN lifetime license needs to be renewed (free of Charge), when one does that they need to have your old home addy on the MN lifetime license changed to your new place of residence in their new state.
One does not have to be contacted by a CO/LEO for any reason, many state computers talk to each other and it will get flagged.


This lack of forethought on my part cost me a 300 dollar fine to the state of Alaska even though there was no financial gain to me for this since I had the free lifetime license in MN."

Mn DNR LICENSE SITE: LIFETIME

MN DNR LICENSE SITE LISTED ABOVE:
RESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSE IS VALID EVEN IF THE LICENSEE MOVES OUT OF STATE:
A resident lifetime license remains valid even if the license holder moves out of Minnesota and becomes a nonresident.
However, once you become a nonresident you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchased as a
resident. You are not eligible for any other resident licenses or resident opportunities. Resident licensees that move out of
state must contact the MN DNR to update their address and customer record.

wow, it's almost a $100 difference from when I bought the kid's lifetime fishing license.

Canoearoo: "wow, it's almost a $100 difference from when I bought the kid's lifetime fishing license. "

Yes and going up March 1,2024

Minnesotans would pay more for fishing licenses, boat registrations and state park admittance under a new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) budget proposal headed to the Legislature.

As announced Tuesday by DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, annual fishing licenses would increase 20% from $25 to $30 for state residents, while non-resident annual fishing licenses would increase 35% from $46 to $62. The last time Minnesota fishing licenses went up in price was 2017.

Pinetree: "

Canoearoo: "wow, it's almost a $100 difference from when I bought the kid's lifetime fishing license. "

Yes and going up March 1,2024


Minnesotans would pay more for fishing licenses, boat registrations and state park admittance under a new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) budget proposal headed to the Legislature.


As announced Tuesday by DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, annual fishing licenses would increase 20% from $25 to $30 for state residents, while non-resident annual fishing licenses would increase 35% from $46 to $62. The last time Minnesota fishing licenses went up in price was 2017."

Gee, with a $17 billion surplus, one might think raising the license fees for residents could be put on hold a bit.

Mike

MikeinMpls: "

Pinetree: "

Canoearoo: "wow, it's almost a $100 difference from when I bought the kid's lifetime fishing license. "

Yes and going up March 1,2024



Minnesotans would pay more for fishing licenses, boat registrations and state park admittance under a new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) budget proposal headed to the Legislature.



As announced Tuesday by DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, annual fishing licenses would increase 20% from $25 to $30 for state residents, while non-resident annual fishing licenses would increase 35% from $46 to $62. The last time Minnesota fishing licenses went up in price was 2017."

Gee, with a $17 billion surplus, one might think raising the license fees for residents could be put on hold a bit.


Mike"

The DNR gets what trickles down from that. Usually nothing for Fish and Wildlife.
Over the years general administration has taken money from Fish and Wildlife they say to cover costs they help the DNR out. The legislature is good at taking funds.

Pinetree: "MN DNR LICENSE SITE LISTED ABOVE:
"
Resident licensees that move out of
state must contact the MN DNR to update their address and customer record."

Correct, and this error on my part is why I was issued the ticket for having a residence license in both states.

RESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSE IS VALID EVEN IF THE LICENSEE MOVES OUT OF STATE:

"Resident licensees that move out of
state must contact the MN DNR to update their address and customer record."

Linden Tree I just contacted the MN DNR info site:

Hello Dale –

Thank you for contacting the MN DNR Info Center.

I(DNR) checked with our Licensing office on this one, and they said there used to be issues with some other states, like Alaska and North Dakota, but North Dakota has since changed its law, so it shouldn’t be an issue any longer. So I can see where your friend is coming from, anyway.



You are correct that if you purchase a resident lifetime license while a resident of MN, you are still eligible to receive your annual license each year even if you move. It is already paid for. Once you become a nonresident, though, you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchased as a resident. You are not eligible for any other resident licenses or resident opportunities. So for instance, if you purchased a lifetime fishing license, you could still pick up that license at no charge, but if you wanted to purchase a fishing shelter tag for your Ice Castle, that would be charged at the non-resident rate.



It is okay for you to show your out-of-state address on your MN DNR profile. You should. And it is okay to purchase a resident license in your new home state. If someone called to check on you, we would tell them that you show as a non-resident in our system.



What you would want to be careful of when fishing is, if you will be on border waters, you may want to check with your new home state regarding what they will require. As far as MN is concerned, you can fish with your lifetime license. But normally anglers from either side of the border water must have their own state’s fishing license to fish there, so other states may require that in this instance as well. (See page 58 in the current MN fishing regs for a discussion of normal border waters licensing.)



Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions either by email or by calling 888-646-6367 M-F 8:00 am – 6:00 pm an

Thanks Pintree,

Guess I got up in Alaska bs, a state that operates about 20 years behind the lower 48. Had I read the fine print, I may have not fallen into this catch 22.
This happened in 2017 right after I retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska State Troopers who issued me this ticket were from my same area. I even worked with them a few times.

When I hung up the phone with them I thanked them for their service and they thanked me for my honesty. The 300 bucks still sticks in my craw though.

Thanks again for your work, I didn't expect you to do that.

Linden