HEADS UP... FISHING LICENSE

[The Grebe]

A little public service announcement here....We were up to Mille Lac over the week-end and i had to get some bait and while at Tutts, I decided to get a jump on things and get my new fishing license.

After I bought my fishing license last year, I had a birthday and had to renew my driver license. The number changed on the license and when I tried to get the fishing license, it wouldn't happen because of the number change.

It was on the week-end, so the DNR office was closed. Had I needed that license, I wouldn't have been able to get it and I would have been screwed for fishing on that particular week-end. If it was the opener week-end, that could ruin alot of plans for someone!

I know I'm not the only one this has happened to, so for any of you FM'ers out there that had your drivers license renewed after buying your fishing license last year, check to see if that number changed and if it did, you are going to have to contact the DNR for a number change so you can get your 2010 fishing license. The number to call is 1-888-646-6367.

[Shack]

Good post Grebe!

I do not need it this year, but next year I will. Statistically it seems Saturday is the day I purchase my new license.

[1lkstage]

So I buy the fishing license first, then renew drivers license? Going in the morning to renew drivers, don't want to get messed with. Thanks Lonnie

[LegattoAD]

Wow. Thanks. I didn't know that. I had to renew my DL last November.

Do you have the lifetime fishing license or the yearly?

Hmm.. Now I'm curious if it would make a difference if you bought your license online. That's what I've done for the last few years, more time fishing and less time wasted in line.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I don't get it. What would a different number have to do with a new fishing license?

[Pat K]

When the # changed on my drivers license a few years ago they had to re-enter all my info manually instead of just swiping my DL.

I never had to contact the DNR and neither did the clerk, it was all handled at Fleet Farm. It just took a little longer because they had to type in my wife and my vital stats.

[mainbutter]

The DNR implemented a new electronic system I believe, and it gets hangups for anyone who has a new license.

The clerk and gander mtn was on the phone for 20 mins or so with the DNR because I made the permanent move to MN and became a resident, but their computer wouldn't issue me a license because they couldn't change my DL # (which was a texas DL license) at the sotre. The DNR office has to do it. If I hadn't been at gander mtn. buying a license during DNR office hours, I couldn't have bought a license.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I'm still not understanding all this. If they swipe your new DL, it has all the info on it, correct?

I can see if it is a paper license, before you get the real thing, that it would need to be done manually. Guess I'll find out since I got a new one last month. I'll look to see if the number is the same.

[JBMasterAngler]

I'll be getting my new DL in the mail next week too. My number has been the same since I was 16 though, so I'm hoping there would be no need to change it now I wonder if it would be easier to buy the fishing license at the DMV if that situation arised?

[riverrat56]

Bring your old fishing license (or any old MNDNR license) with, they can use the DNR number off of it and do not need your drivers license info at all to get you a new fishing license.

The new machines are working out a few issues, but overall the transition has been pretty smooth for most I think.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I was just going to post the same thing as RiverRat... your DNR number did not change,... bring your old license with you and you should be good to go!

[bturck]

Three years ago I started going through this exact same thing after renewing my DL and the number being changed. When I went to purchase any license swiping my DL would not work, therefore they would enter my DNR number and presto a new license was in the making. I was totally surprised that DNR and DMV did not merge this new information, but apparently they have not. Also based on this same subject matter on the Lake Vermilion site, you can no longer use your DNR number a valid Minnesota DL or State ID will be needed in order to purchase a fishing license this year. The agency who actually handles this for Minnesota is if memory serves me in Tennessee. HMMM Outsourcing again 'eh. Anyway next week I'm going in to purchase my new fishing license and see what happens, perhaps the clerk and I will be very good friends before its finally figured out......Ya gotta love it....

[shizzy]

Bring your old fishing license (or any old MNDNR license) with, they can use the DNR number off of it and do not need your drivers license info at all to get you a new fishing license.

The new machines are working out a few issues, but overall the transition has been pretty smooth for most I think.

thats what I did this year. I was getting the combo license with my wife (first time) and I handed the clerk both our drivers licenses and my old fishing license. she did have to call her manager over due to the new system, but it all got worked out.

[matthothand]

I believe this can be resolved at any license agent if it happens to anyone else. The sales person can search for your account with a SS number or MDNR number, two numbers that won't change. Once your account is displayed the person working can enter/edit your account info (height, weight, address, favorite lake, etc.) and I think your drivers license number can be edited as well. Next time I'm at my roomate's shop I'll check it out. The 24 hour license system help line is a great tool so long as the person actually issuing the license isn't.

[mainbutter]

I'm still not understanding all this. If they swipe your new DL, it has all the info on it, correct?

The DNR's licensing system doesn't like any new info that needs to be updated.

To be update residency or DL #s, they have to manually do it at the DNR office from what I could tell when the gander mtn guy was on the phone with the DNR.

[bturck]

So I had a little extra time on my hands today so lets try to purchase my resident combo, husband/wife license on line. Have always gone to a sales agent, but lets give it a try.

Tried two different access methods; DL#, DOB and last 4 of my social. Brings up my profile address, city etc but an error message that says I can't purchase a license on line. OOOOOOK lets try my DNR#, DOB and last 4 of my social.....same message. They can't issue my license because there is an issue with the system. So I sent an email to that link. We'll see what they have to say. For right now I'm headed to the cabin for 5 days of chasing crappies and some Coors Light, and I'll worry about it when I get back......

[Hd Wtr Hillbilly]

wish I would have read this before friday evening....had it happen to me and the wife since we just moved from WI, we ended up having to buy a one day out of state license for sunday and I have to call the DNR today to get it sorted out....seems like a goofy deal to me,

Welcome to MN but please still pay the non-resident fees

[fasternu]

Doesn't it say somewhere in the regs that even if you just moved to MN, you can't technically buy a resident license untill after you've lived here for 60-90 days? Not sure how they would know one way or another....

[Hd Wtr Hillbilly]

I didnt look at the regs...but she was ready to sell me a resident license but said I had to call the DNR number on a weekday during business hours.

We also missed out on the husband/wife fishing license discount because my new bride (who was a mn resident) had to use her old address to get her license instead of the new one that she had already switched over to. She also has to call the DNR so they can officially change it in their system.

Its enough to drive a guy crazy...or to drink