Fishing license question...

[Fly2day]

So I was out on open water for the first time today, with no luck... But I had a CO come by and say hello wanting to check my fishing license. I did not have it on me, but was in my truck about 100 yards away so he took my drivers license #. My question is can you get fined for not having it on you even though you do have a current fishing license?

[Maverick]

So I was out on open water for the first time today, with no luck... But I had a CO come by and say hello wanting to check my fishing license. I did not have it on me, but was in my truck about 100 yards away so he took my drivers license #. My question is can you get fined for not having it on you even though you do have a current fishing license?

The answer is yes. However, most CO's will give you a chance to produce it. There was a funny story in the reports by the CO's where a guy said he had one, just not with him. The CO let him go to get it and when he returned with it the CO checked and found out that he had just bought it. I believe he received a ticket.

[Black_Bay]

Short answer, yes. You do have to have your license in your possession. That said, I haven't had a CO have a problem with me keeping my license in a dry boat compartment or tackle box though.

[Fly2day]

He did not make me go get it although I would have gladly ran and got it, but like I said he just took down my drivers license # and said he would call it in and if I didnt have one I would be getting a ticket in the mail... So would it be safe to assume since I do have a valid Fishing license( that I had before today) I am okay? Seemed like a nice enough guy I would just hate to get ticketed for it. Guess I'm just parinoid.

[goblueM]

usually it depends on the CO. they have a pretty good handle on the type of person you are

if you are straight up and have a valid reason and cooperate, a lot of times they will take your DL number like you experienced

but yes, you can get a fine for not having it on you

[LightningBG]

You'll be fine.

Worst case scenario, it doesn't pull up in there system for whatever reason, they send you a ticket in the mail. You mail back the ticket with a copy of your license, or call the DNR office and explain.

[Fly2day]

Thanks for all the quick responses everyone... From what th CO told me and from what im hearing from you guys it sounds like I should be okay, otherwise wouldnt he have issued me a ticket on the spot? I guess I learned a lesson today...

[skolfoppa]

Note: All persons required to have a license (including stamp validations)

must have it in their possession while fishing and while traveling from an

area where they fished.

Page 8 of 2010-11 fishing regs.

Skol.

[tunrevir]

One of the most common cited violations on the water is not having a valid lisc in your possession. Even with a valid lisc if you aren't able to produce it to the co when asked on the spot you can be ticketed. Most Co's show a little leeway especially in early season but later in the year the same co may write you up even if it is in your truck and valid. I have left it in the truck with my wallet, I have left the whole works at home in my wallet and fished anyways taking the chance knowing full well if I get stopped I'm gonna pay a fine. I think it has happened to alot of us at one time or another. Chalk it up as experience.

Tunrevir~

[Pleasant]

No I have learned over the years... I carry my Drivers license, MN DNR License, and one credit card in a 3 x 4 vinyl sleeve in my left front pocket... Don't leave home without it

[Maverick]

It is always in my wallet and I am never without my wallet, well, almost never, but that is another story.

[Duffman]

Even the most law abiding person can get pinched on this one. It happens, just hope the CO is having a good day that day. Gotta have it on you, or face a fine. My wallet is the last thing on my mind 5 days into a week long wilderness camping trip.

[GrizzlyAdams]

As said yes you can be ticketed. A few years ago a friend and I were checked and my friend did not have it on him. He actually had lost it and at that time you had to go to the court house and look through thousands of paper copies to find his. I believe they even told him it would cost quite a bit of money for them to look through all of the files. Long story short he didn't spend the money to find it, missed his court date and was issued a warrant for failure to produce a valid fishing license. He was arrested about a month or so later and spent the weekend in jail for failure to produce a valid fishing license. So yes they take it seriously. Now they have the p.o.s. machines and you can get a duplicate anywhere they sell licenses. When he went back to court the judge couldn't believe he spent the weekend in jail for it and the case was closed with the time served as his punishment plus a fine. I ALWAYS have mine with me since then because time in jail over a technicality is not something I am willing to take a chance on. Maybe more of a worst case scenario but it all came down to not having his license on him. So if the DNR asks you to show proof, I would get it to them as soon as possible.

[hoggs222]

About 10 years ago, I was at the cabin with 2 buddies. Before leaving the dock, I asked both of them if they had their license. Yup!

So, we're fishing about 8 miles from the cabin, sure enough, we get checked. Neither of them had their license! CO, followed us back to the cabin, 8 miles away. Talk about a waste of fishing time and gas!

[mrklean]

once in college one of my buddies and i were fishing and got stopped by a CO and he didnt have his license with him but he showed the CO his recipet for it and he let him go with that, i was a little suprised by that

[fishinfey8]

[Maverick]

It was just in the last couple of years and I don't remember where. I'm sure it happens more often than we might think.

[fishinfey8]

I'm sure it does..the person I knew got their fishing rights taken away for a year...ouch!

[bturck]

Ever since the drivers license numbers were changed ie; no longer the letter of your last name, I have had to produce another type of license, old fishing, hunting etc. Swiping my DL to buy any license will not read my new DL number. Apparently Dept of Motor Vehicles has a glitch. Anyway I carry my license in my tackle box, cause I never leave home without it. Have only been checked once in the past 5 years though. Always at the ready if needed....

[mainbutter]

Last summer I went out fishing. I knew I'd be doing some wading (and ended up actually doing some swimming over deep holes holding the rod over my head) in a stretch of river, so I changed into my swimming trunks, leaving my wallet in my jeans pocket. My license is always in my wallet.

Oopsie. Here come's Mr. CO...

Luckily I'd been checked by the same CO before, so he knew I was licensed.

This got me thinking, is it safe to regularly submerge your license fully in water?

[SpecialK]

I believe the material they are printed on now is waterproof

[Brad B]

a good test would be to take your old license after you get your new one and submerge it in water for a couple of days and then report back on how it held up.

[Slugo]

Okay here is another fishing licence queston.

My son turns 16 the day after opener...when do we need to get him a licence?

Thanks

[PierBridge]

He'll need to get his license the day after the opener when he turns 16..

[mrklean]

yep he has to get it when hes 16