If you use a snowmobile to ice fish . . . .

[Steve Foss]

There's been a lot of posting about the new $16 annual "trail" snowmobile sticker required for the first time for Minnesota residents this year.

Basically, the message I've been getting in press releases and in talking to snowmobilers is that you have to have it if you run on groomed trails that get any money from the state, and that's pretty much all groomed trail systems.

Someone asked, what if you live on a lake and just want to ride around on the lake? Do you need the sticker? What if you do that and happen to hop on a groomed lake trail or cross one? Do you need a sticker?

I ran this by our local C.O. a few minutes ago, and his response was: Forget the trail issue. If you run a snowmobile anywhere in Minnesota, you need the sticker. Period. He said that interpretation is based on how the law is written. I haven't seen a copy of the legislation's language, but that's the word from a long-time C.O. up here in snowmobile country.

It's not an issue for me. I live in town and need to use groomed trails to get to the lakes, as well as the trails to cross them and portage from Shag to Burntside.

But if the C.O. here is any indication, looks like it's get the sticker or get busted.

[gvg_uwec]

i know in wis its that way, and if im not mistaken you need an atv sticker to be ice fish with atvs on the ice too. But i think that driving atv's and snowmobiles on private properties you dont. Hopefully thats not too confusing

[cold one sd]

Good grief, You guys are taxed to death over there! I hope these kind of regulations and fees never hit us in South Dakota. At least your wage scale is higher than ours for all the help that is. It kinda seems like DNR is almost out of control.

[larryz]

In Wisconsin you have to license snowmobiles and atvs to ride on public land or trails. If ridden on private property it is not necessary. I don't know about any trail stickers necessary up here.

That is my understanding of the situation anyway!! FWIW

[Steve Foss]

It's not the DNR. It's the governor and the Legislature. They make the laws the DNR has to enforce. Plenty of real serious fish and animal poaching going on all over, and I don't know many COs who like having one more stupid sticker law to enforce when there's REAL work to be done out there.

[Waterbeater]

Don't kid yourself. I live on a ranch in western SD and all my atv's and smowmobiles are lisenced. Vertually anywhere you go off your own property you need it.Oh and don't forget the insurance. It just keeps going and going Some how I don't see our fore fathers picturing that our country would turn out like this.

[knoppers]

we also need to be licensed, but now have to add a trail sticker. what sense does this make. if they need more money for trails, raise the license fee, its that simple.

our license fee was supossed to go to trail maintinance, but obvoiusly its going into the general fund, so now they just tax us more.

what about the non-res riding permit, I have not heard anything about that, did the price of that go up, or are residents paying the same, plus buying a license.

[cold one sd]

My ATV is licensed too, but I don't have to slap a sixteen dollar sticker on it in order to use it. But, since SD seems to like being like every other state it's probably on the way.

[MnIceman]

Yeah its our legislators. I know whole families that won't be riding this year because of it . They're not sure if they are going to sell them yet or not . Others are talking about transfering them to relatives in WI and not riding MN. Has anyone seen the latest in Outdoor News ? MN's own Mark Kennedy introduced a bill to raise the federal duck stamp From $15 to $35 by 2015. It truley is only the rich will get to have fun .

[jerkin'm]

Not gonna ride for $16???????? What is that a half a tank of gas or so? Sucks but it certainly won't stop me...Don't know if all 3 will be ridden this winter though...

[Steve Foss]

You can also get one for $31 for three years if you're renewing your three year sled registration or if you're newly registering a sled. That breaks down to $10.333333333333333333333333333333333333333 per year.

My sled was registered last year, so I'm stuck paying the $16 each of the next two years.

[MnIceman]

Yep! That's what they say . I've tried to talk them out of it but they won't listen . I'll be paying for it because of where I live and where my cabin is.But I don't like it. There just won't be as many that want to go this year. Some say they just can't afford it because of the number of sleds they have for their kids and paying for gas besides . If they want to go fishing with me they'll have to come up with something to go with .

[iceman16]

MNiceman, i see ya got a place in finland? i take it u know the owners of wildhurst. my aunt and uncle own that place.

iceman

[MnIceman]

Iceman16: I've met your uncle once but could'nt name him . My cousins that live up there introduced me when we were snowmobiling . I'm terrible with names and faces. My place is actually by Lax Lake and it's taken 2 years just to remember some of my neighbors names. I usually only stop in Wildhurst when I'm snowmobiling .

[Little John]

In MI, we need ORV stickers on our ATV's and trail stickers for the sleds here. In Ontario,Canada, where I spend about half my time, you also need proof of insurance on any ATV or sled. That alone costs me $75 a machine. That's just for fishing near my home. Since I fish the Trap Attack circuit I also need to obey all of the applicable laws in each state...$$$$ If it all went back into help the outdoor resources I wouldn't mind so much. But I know most of it goes into "general funds" and could even be used against our interests... All I can say is get informed and VOTE!

[Mikinaak]

great motto

Worry less, fish more.

[iffwalleyes]

Good thing the governor didn't raise taxes he is sticking to his campain promises. Just about like the tobacco user fee.

But knoppers brings up a great question since I am a non-resident what do I need do I get the same trail sticker as a resident. I would image it would be the same similar to like a state park sticker but I might be wrong. Since I frequent Lake Of The Woods often I will be needing it. And like someone else asked do I need one for my 4 wheeler to.

[Chris Stolp]

I emailed the Minnesota DNR below is the response and below that my original email question:

Only if riden on a trail. If only on private property or on a lake the trail

pass is not needed. If your ATV is registered in Wisconsin, that is all that is

required to use it on the ice for ice fishing in MN. Enjoy and good luck. Kevin

original email sent to DNR below:

1. Is the new trail sticker required on snowmobiles if only used on lakes for

ice fishing?

2. Are there any requirements for ATV use on lakes for ice fishing?

3. I am a Wisconsin resident with an ATV licensed in that state. Are ATV's and

snowmobiles treated the same as out of state boats (i.e. the

registration/licensing for other states is recognized and fulfills Minnesota

requirements)?

Thanks for your help.

[MnIceman]

Good info right from the DNR. Now if all the game wardens enforce it the same .

[hawkeye43]

Get a copy of the rules and if the CO give you a bad time, ask him to show you where He gets his infomation from.