Lock on fish house door.

[Boss Hogg]

I just bought a new drop down fish house (sleeper). It is equiped with a dead bolt lock on the inside. However, can someone tell me just what the law says about locking this while occupied, or sleeping in it? Also, does the law still say that the CO can not come into your fish house unless you say he can? Thanks.

[jimBo]

Around West Central Mn your lock is just as good as How bad you want to keep your stuff.Last year there was a nice king crow 16ft on the lake and they just destroyed the door busting in.this guy was not very smart left his power augar,vex pak 12v bat. I have seen where they have made there own door with a chain saw.And you can put all the rebar in the walls to try to stop them.Then they go through the roof.there is know stopping them.If they want in.They are going to get in.(Boy I Like To Catch Them)

[Ryan_V]

In my experience, personal and professional, it is best not to lock your door and take everything out of the house, or take your fish house off the lake when you leave. I have about a total of $200 into my permanent house. just an old shack on skids, but it keeps me warm, is big and comfortable. I leave the door unlocked and take my stuff with me when I'm done fishing, if someone wants to go in it, let them. If the door is locked, they will think that there is something in there to steal and they WILL get in one way or another. I work in law enforcement (when I'm not fishing) and see wwaaaayyyy too much of this every year. As far as the CO goes, if they knock on your door, you are not legally required to let them in, but we are all responsible sportsmen and there shouldn't be any reason not to open the door for a game warden, they are there to make sure things that we love...hunting fishing etc.... stay in place for our children and their children and thier children..... If we abuse it, it is ruined for future generations, including my children, and I don't think any of us wants that.

[Ryan_V]

Sorry, I forgot to add....I believe that the regulations state that the door has to be able to be opened from the outside when the house is occupied.

[Duffer]

i would agree i would just take your stuff with you and just leav it open if some one wants in let them as long as nothing is there they dont have any thing to take.

[federline]

Ryan is correct. "Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use." Page 58, 2004 DNR Fishing Regs booklet.

[woodyjdh]

Quote:

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Ryan is correct. "Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use." Page 58, 2004 DNR Fishing Regs booklet.

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Reg's or not, if the wife and I are involved in some "quality time", there ain't no way the door will be unlocked!

[psegriz]

woody

I second that.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Woody...well worth the fine:)

[LittleRanger]

Lock it with a cheap lock, there's not much worse than getting into your house before sunrise and finding a frozen "steamer" in your house. If you dont lock it at all someone will use it for a bathroom!