Turning 16

[mojoputter]

My son turned 16 a couple of weeks ago, my buddy tells me he doesn't need to get his own fishing license until next year, he says he still covered under the family license I already have...does that sound right..?

[reinhard1]

the regs say ALL people 16 years and older need a license unless otherwise noted. i dont see anywhere in the otherwise noted that your son would be able to fish without a license now that he is 16 unless i missed it somewhere. good luck.

[Brad B]

No once a person turns 16 they need their own license. also minnesota does not have a resident family license. the state only offers the family license to non residents. minnesota residents under 16 are not required to have a license even if their parent does or does not have a license. plus residents less than 16 can also keep a limit if they choose to.

[pikerliker]

He needs a license. Your friend is mistaken.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

He Needs a license...

[mattpaumen]

A little off topic, but I really wish they would change the license requirement to 18 years old instead of 16. Not that the license fee is a lot of money, but there might be some kids that have a difficult time coming up with that money that would otherwise fish if they weren't required to buy a license. I would have no issue paying for my kids to fish if they couldn't afford it, but some parents may not be able to do that.

[harvey lee]

I agree 100%.

They talk about kids fishing going down and I am sure the added cost of a license could affect some of that percentage.

If the DNR is in that tough of financial shape that we cannot allow some 16 and 17 year olds to fish without a license, then we are in tough shape.

Just maybe that time spent fishing and not hanging on a street corner may make the difference. One never knows.

[delmuts]

"They talk about kids fishing going down and I am sure the added cost of a license could affect some of that percentage.

If the DNR is in that tough of financial shape that we cannot allow some 16 and 17 year olds to fish without a license, then we are in tough shape.

Just maybe that time spent fishing and not hanging on a street corner may make the difference. One never knows."

+1

The problem with that Tom; it makes sense!! They'll never do it!

[reinhard1]

i think if i had a kid just turning 16 i would encourage him or her to purchase the individual conservation licence. it's 11 bucks and you can keep only half a limit. i think a lot of kids just want to fish and catch them vs keeping a limit. something that should be encouraged regardless.

besides if he or she goes with the parent or parents limits of fish are not an issue anyway. i do think they need to be tought some responsibiliy as far a paying something for the oppertunity to get out there, so a conservation licence would be fine. good luck.

[Big-Al]

I agree that the conservation license is a great option.

Here is a another option for your children and grandchildren. A great birthday or Christmas present, although they may not realize its value for a while but eventually they sure will.

Lifetime Fishing Fees

Age Group

3 and under $227

4 to 15 $300

16 to 50 $383

51 and over $203

[harvey lee]

Never thought about the conservation license at $11. makes sense to me.

[fivebucks]

Really? Kids can afford ipods, cell phones, $50 in gas to fill the car, fancy designer clothes but not $20 for a license? I have no problem whatsoever with having a kid at $16 pay for a license. At age 16 they can get a job flipping burgers or whatever. A kid is either into fishing or they are not. If they are into it $20 is a small percentage of the amount they spend their spare money on. Now on the other hand if the family is on state assistance due to low income there should be a free license the parents can apply for.

[pike79]

I agree that the conservation license is a great option.

Here is a another option for your children and grandchildren. A great birthday or Christmas present, although they may not realize its value for a while but eventually they sure will.

Lifetime Fishing Fees

Age Group

3 and under $227

4 to 15 $300

16 to 50 $383

51 and over $203

+1 Big Al, all my kids are getting the lifetime license on there third birthday. The other good thing about it if they move out of state they can still come home and fish and not have to pay non residence.

[mrklean]

Really? Kids can afford ipods, cell phones, $50 in gas to fill the car, fancy designer clothes but not $20 for a license? I have no problem whatsoever with having a kid at $16 pay for a license. At age 16 they can get a job flipping burgers or whatever. A kid is either into fishing or they are not. If they are into it $20 is a small percentage of the amount they spend their spare money on. Now on the other hand if the family is on state assistance due to low income there should be a free license the parents can apply for.

gotta agree i don't think its the fact its $20 i think its just kids aren't interested in the outdoors anymore, if anything its the cost of the equipment that might be keeping kids away also

[pooly_31]

Really? Kids can afford ipods, cell phones, $50 in gas to fill the car, fancy designer clothes but not $20 for a license? I have no problem whatsoever with having a kid at $16 pay for a license. At age 16 they can get a job flipping burgers or whatever. A kid is either into fishing or they are not. If they are into it $20 is a small percentage of the amount they spend their spare money on. Now on the other hand if the family is on state assistance due to low income there should be a free license the parents can apply for.

You really think this describes most kids in this state?

[amateurfishing]

it does in my neighborhood & most are not even in middle school yet...its all bout what the parents teach/do with them

[mainbutter]

Things I will expect of my children at 16 years old:

Getting a driver's license, fishing license, a job, and still getting A's in math, science, and english.

Even if I drive 'em down to the store and hand over a $20, I still want them to stand in line and tell the cashier that they need a license, hand over the ID and SS#, and sign the piece of paper. While it may seem trivial, I just think of it as an introduction to the bureaucracy that is applying for and receiving required licences and permits. Better 16 than 18 imo.

[fivebucks]

"You really think this describes most kids in this state?"

I do. When was the last time you saw a 16 year old without a cell phone in between their thumbs?

[20lbSloughShark]

Im turning 18 in september, but at 16 (and still do) I paid for my truck, gas, insurance, boat, motor, licenses, all of it. I work hard for my money, and enjoy it. The middle school kids with ipads and $500 phones got them from their parents. I make quite a bit for a high school kid at $10 per hour, most make between $5-7 per hour. I don't know why people complain about licenses, I spend that much on bait every month. The killer is the police. I never had a problem with them until this spring. Now I got a ticket for my windsheild (which has been cracked for 10 years), parking on the side of a parking lot (never saw a ticket for that before or since), and a warning for realeasing a fish that then died. Now I am just waiting for one to dig a weed from the tread of the tire and get me for transporting invasive species or something equally rediculous.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

X2

Really? Kids can afford ipods, cell phones, $50 in gas to fill the car, fancy designer clothes but not $20 for a license? I have no problem whatsoever with having a kid at $16 pay for a license. At age 16 they can get a job flipping burgers or whatever. A kid is either into fishing or they are not. If they are into it $20 is a small percentage of the amount they spend their spare money on. Now on the other hand if the family is on state assistance due to low income there should be a free license the parents can apply for.

[TruthWalleyes]

A little off topic, but I really wish they would change the license requirement to 18 years old instead of 16. Not that the license fee is a lot of money, but there might be some kids that have a difficult time coming up with that money that would otherwise fish if they weren't required to buy a license. I would have no issue paying for my kids to fish if they couldn't afford it, but some parents may not be able to do that.

Part of me agrees with this...free until your 18.

A large part of me doesn't think it should change.

Kids could probably use 2 years to learn the regulations as well as getting used to following them laws before they are considered an adult.

Guess i'm 50/50 on this one.

[ozzie]

free till 18 IMO then they are "adults"....yeah alot of kids are spoiled but that still doesn't represent the majority I hope. I know there are alot of kids who's parents are unable to buy them all the fancy gadgets but something simple like fishing can keep them busy and occupied but once they turn 16 they either have to quit fishing or do it illegaly cause they don't know any better...I know I was that kid that wouldn't have thought about a fishing license when I was 16 still biking down to the river fishing or having buddies pick me up to go fishing but I was just lucky that I had a parent that would get one for me....

[mainbutter]

free till 18 IMO then they are "adults"

The thing about this idea is that no two individuals are alike, everyone matures at a different pace, and turning 18 doesn't magically make someone responsible.

I like that there are some things that "under-18ers" have to do that are part of being a responsible adult. You can't treat kids like individuals without any responsibilities for nearly two decades and expect them to instantly be model citizens on their 18th b-day.

Now I'd be happy with a fishing license being free for someone under 18, but I'd prefer that they at least need a physical license, even a free one. Even better would be a required multiple-choice 20 question "test" about MN's rules and regulations before they get their free license.

[Scott K]

How about the state offer a family license, then children are included until they are 18. Then the parents that want the kids to buy their own, they still can, the other parents can buy a family, and have them included. Why not have them get their own Medical insurance, and car insurance when they are 16? Because they are still kids!

I have 2 kids at this age, and I tell you, I sure wish I could just buy a family license, and have them covered.