Fishing License

[Carpenter]

Goofy question and I know I'll have to call the DNR, but thought I'd put it out there for a little discussion.

Had my out-laws up this past weekend and they wanted to do some fishing. Went to a local bait shop to get licenses. My bro-n-law just turned 16, therefore needed a license. Only thing is he hasn't pursued his license or permit, so he doesn't have an ID. The bait shop said with the new computer system they couldn't issue a license without some issued form of ID. Now what?

[Jim Almquist]

Not much you can do now. He really should have got a state ID card if his state issues them or worked on getting that drivers license a little harder.

I know it was a little production to get my Wisconsin license the first time but once you are in the data base it is very easy.

[Vickie]

I'm pretty sure his Social Security number would have worked to get his fishing license. Too bad the bait shop employee couldn't have helped you out with this.

Vickie

[LakeDocktor]

I'm pretty sure his Social Security number would have worked to get his fishing license. Too bad the bait shop employee couldn't have helped you out with this.

Vickie

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that with the ELS system you can use your SS number to determine residency and identification to purchase any license. I was under the impression that a few years ago, they started asking for your SS number to pinpoint certain people (back child support, etc.). If he has never had a license before, it wouldn't have been ever asked of him even if they stored it in the system.

[herefish101]

So I didd'nt get my drivers license until I was 18, before that I never had any form of ID, i'v had a fishing license scince I was 16, but I don't remember what I had to do, I think I used a certified copy of my birth certificate.

[abcnerdd]

I'm pretty sure his Social Security number would have worked to get his fishing license. Too bad the bait shop employee couldn't have helped you out with this.

Vickie

His Social Security number will not work. He will need to issue a state id or get his permit. State id will cost around $20 and takes a month to be issue out.

[Jim Almquist]

When I purchased my Wisconsin Non-resident license they needed my drivers license and my SSN.

The one thing that I like about the Wisconsin family license is that children under the age of 18 can fish on it.

[shortfatguy]

Not saying its the right thing to do, but if they wont sell him a license because he doesnt have ID then how would a CO prove he isnt 15? What a way to get kids into fishing. Make it hard or impossible to get a license.

[LakeDocktor]

Great advice! Don't get me wrong, I am all about involving kids in the outdoors, but to teach and instill lying and breaking the law to do so....Is he from out of state? Does he have a firearm safety certificate? If so, the MNDNR number on the firearm safety card is all that he would have needed.

[shortfatguy]

I didnt say to do that. Just saying if they cant sell him a license because he isnt in the system then how can they enforce the law on teenaged kids without an ID? My first few words were "Not saying its the right thing to do"

[LMITOUT]

SSN and date of birth is all that's needed if you purchase a license online. There are other options but this would be the best for a non-resident.

Some people take it for granted that every person with a pulse has a driver's license but that's obviously not the case. There are other ways to purchase a license but apparently the baitshop didn't have a clue.

There is also an option to call in to purchase a license. A small fee of a couple bucks will be added on as a convenience charge, though.

[RiverFish]

Theres also a "convenience"/lets make money fee for online service as well.

Nice thing about doing it online is that you can print more than one copy to disperse throught out your boat/wallet/home/vehicle.

[g_anoka]

You are correct. The DNR # from a firearms safety certificate will work, how else do kids get a deer license? I wonder if a boat safety certificate would also work?

[DTro]

"Son, you are 15 this weekend....let's go fishing"

[Ralph Wiggum]

This was 13 years ago, but I know for a fact that I got my first fishing license before I had a driver's license. It can be done. Try somewhere else or call the DNR.

[bikeoutback]

Some people take it for granted that every person with a pulse has a driver's license but that's obviously not the case. There are other ways to purchase a license but apparently the baitshop didn't have a clue.

MN has ID cards available also, I had one when I was 15. I don't recall the reasoning why I had it. Also 2 buddies of mine were once informed via a ticket that not having your license or identification on you in public is against the law, they were written for vagrancy but it was a jerk cop trying to slap them with everything he could. I'd say if the young man isn't going to pursue their license then they should get a state issued ID card. At least the ID card only cost the cost of the card whereas a license costs the driver's ed, behind the wheel....

[LOTWSvirgin]

Great advice! Don't get me wrong, I am all about involving kids in the outdoors, but to teach and instill lying and breaking the law to do so....Is he from out of state? Does he have a firearm safety certificate? If so, the MNDNR number on the firearm safety card is all that he would have needed.

This is what I did till I got my drivers lic when I was 19.

[harvey lee]

I had to jump a few hoops the first time I hunted in Montana as they wanted a little extra info.

Once in the system, no issues. I guess all states have rules for hunting and fishing licenses.

I would assume in most cases, one should check the rules for obtaining a license before trying to go.

[LMITOUT]

The license seller should know the rules and shouldn't have to be educated by the customer attempting to purchase a license.

It shouldn't be that difficult for a youngster to get a fishing license, especially when the number of younger people taking up fishing is decreasing.

[LakeDocktor]

LMITOUT, I still don't think that you are able to obtain a license by giving your SS#. I may be wrong, but if that were the case, why would they need to ask you SS# when you purchased a license a couple years ago?

[harvey lee]

The license seller should know the rules and shouldn't have to be educated by the customer attempting to purchase a license.

It shouldn't be that difficult for a youngster to get a fishing license, especially when the number of younger people taking up fishing is decreasing.

I do not believe that the sellers will be to up to date on the rules for 2 reasons.

1- They get paid next to nothing for selling the licenses and the rules do change from time to time. I highly doubt that the owner would take that much time to teach each one the laws for licenses.

2- With the turnover of employee's at the gas stations-convience stores that sell the licenses, I doubt they can train them in fast enough.

I do not believe I have ever been asked for my SS# when I purchased a fishing license.