Portable shelter used ONLY as warming house. Need Lic?

[Perch Jerker]

If I drag my Clam portable out on the ice and leave the two floor cover's on, do I need a license for it?

I plan on using it on a lake where the ice isn't thick enough for my heavy truck. I am not going to cut holes in the ice below me as I plan on using just tip-ups on the outside of the shelter. It will only be used as a windbreak/warming-hut.

I am going to call the DNR tommorow, to pick their brains on the issue, but what do you think? What if I bring my tent with a solid floor?

ps. I only ask because my permenent house is on Leech Lake right now (with my license on it) and I plan on fishing a metro lake this weekend.

[This message has been edited by Perch Jerker (edited 02-05-2002).]

[Nels]

The way I read page 44 of the MN fishing regulations is that, Yes, you will need the license: "Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters placed on the ice for shelter while fishing must be licensed except on border waters.." If you have a line in the water (tip-up or otherwise) you are in the act of fishing.

Now if you are just going to smoke crack in it, I don't think you need the license...

[Gonzo]

You do need to license the portable, even if you're not fishing in it.
I feel your pain I usually put a wood house up on Minnetonka, and have two portables. I don't agree with it at all. I figured out how much I spent on licenses/stamps in MN last year for my tax filing, and it PO's me every year (not to mention my wife seeing that roll-up! ) When the bill to eliminate the portable license came up last year, I wrote my congressman several times. But the bill was modified and that issue didn't get addressed. I love MN, and won't move, but enough already. I'd rather have a program that allows me to work to improve a natural area or with kids/seniors in the outdoors and earn "points" or something to reduce all these stinkin fees!

Sorry - You have to license your portable

[This message has been edited by Gonzo (edited 02-05-2002).]

[Guest]

I know an old guy that got a ticket while sitting in his pickup warming up, he was using it as a shelter from the wind. The DNR said it needed a license and it held up in court, honest.

[Guest]

It would be easier for all of us if you DID move.