Mods - Can we get a sticky for the shelter license changes?

[polarsusd81]

I think with all the posts about the shelter license changes, it is probably time for a sticky at the top to let everyone know what the new rules and regulations are. It seems easy enough to understand, but the question is posed pretty much once a day in a new thread.

Basic jist of the rule change, if you leave the house unattended overnight, you need a shelter tag. If you do not leave the house unattended, you do not need a shelter tag. If you spend the night in your wheel house, it doesn't need a shelter tag, but if you leave it on the ice while you go back to the resort and have dinner, it needs a tag. All shelters need to have your driver's license number or DNR identification number in readable letters at least 2" tall in a contrasting color. Pretty easy.

[Chode2235]

Agreed. Even in your post it is somewhat confusing. Shelter tag?

Does that mean that I don't need a license AND I don't need my name and city on it either?

I thought I still needed identification on the outside of my shelter?

[polarsusd81]

It is one of three options for identification, I missed the name and address one, but you have three choices, name and address, driver's license number, or nine digit DNR ID number. You can do all three if you want, but by law only need one. The following is the press release from the DNR site that I have personally seen posted on FM more than once discussing the same topic.

A link to the article as well for anyone who doubts the authenticity - http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2007/11/20/fish-house-and-dark-house-licensing-changes-greet-ice-anglers/

Fish house and dark house licensing changes greet ice anglers (November 20, 2007)

Changes to fish house rules during the close of the 2007 Legislative session will greet anglers in Minnesota this ice fishing season, particularly those leaving such structures unattended on the ice overnight. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expects the changes to generate some questions since the 2007 Fishing Regulations Handbook does not reflect the new statute language.

Col. Mike Hamm, DNR’s chief conservation officer, said the changes are pretty straightforward. “If you haul a fish house out and leave it unattended on the ice overnight, it needs a fish house license,” Hamm said. The rule change applies to both dark houses and fish houses.

The legal definition for a “fish house” means a structure set on the ice of state waters to provide shelter while taking fish by angling.

For a fish house or a dark house to require a shelter license, it has to be left unattended on the ice overnight and used for taking fish. “Overnight” is defined as the hours between sunset and sunrise outlined in the DNR’s sunrise/sunset tables in the 2007 Fishing Regulations Handbook.

Also under new provisions of the statute, residents and nonresidents are treated the same. This means in most cases a nonresident using a fish house during daylight hours will not need a fish house license. Likewise, if a nonresident angler is found occupying a fish house during the night, no fish house license will be required. However, if a nonresident places a fish house on a lake and leaves it unattended overnight, a nonresident shelter license will be required.

“For the 2007-2008 winter season, residents and nonresidents will need the appropriate fish house license only if the fish house is left unattended on the ice overnight,” Hamm said.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Resident or nonresident is angling with a fish house for five hours during the day. Person leaves ice with the fish house. Does angler need a fish house license?

Answer: No. A fish house license is not required in this instance.

Question: Resident or nonresident angler stays overnight in a fish house. Does person need a fish house license?

Answer: No. A fish house license is not required in this instance, as long as the fish house is occupied.

Question: Resident or nonresident angler leaves fish house unoccupied on an area lake overnight in front of the resort angler is staying at. Does the fish house require a fish house license?

Answer: Yes. A fish house license would be required in this instance. Anytime the fish house is left unattended overnight, a fish house license is required.

Question: A group of (resident or nonresident) anglers pulls a fish house on the ice for a weekend of ice fishing. The fish house is designed with a wheel system that allows for easy access and removal from the lake. The anglers stay in the house and never leave it unoccupied during the course of the weekend. Does the fish house require a license?

Answer: No. A fish house license is not required as long as the fish house is attended. This includes daylight, as well as nighttime use.

Question: A group of anglers (resident or nonresident) anglers constructs an 8- by - 8- by 12-foot fish house on a local lake. Regularly the group, or members of the group, will meet at the fish house after work to fish. By 9 p.m. they’ve all left and return the following day at 5 p.m. for more fun. Does this fish house require a license?

Answer: Yes. Depending on who owns the fish house, a resident or a nonresident fish house license would be required.

The following regulations apply to fish houses, dark houses and portable shelters used on all Minnesota waters, unless noted in the 2007 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Handbook.

- A person may not take fish from a dark house or fish house that is left unattended on

the ice overnight unless the house is licensed and has a license tag attached to the

exterior in a readily visible location. The commissioner must issue a tag with a dark

house or fish house license, marked with a number to correspond with the license

and the years of issue. A dark house or fishing house is not required of a resident on

boundary waters where the adjacent state does not charge a fee for the same activity.

- Nonresidents may obtain a license for a fish shelter.

- All shelters (including dark houses, fish houses and portable shelters) placed on the

ice of Minnesota waters must have either the complete name and address, driver’s

license number, or the nine-digit Minnesota DNR number on the license of

the owner plainly and legibly displayed on the outside in letters, and figures at least

two inches in height.

- A tag, furnished with the license, must be attached to the exterior in a readily visible location.

- Dark houses, fish houses and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use.

- Fish houses left on the ice overnight need to have at least two square inches of

reflective material on each side of the house.

- Fish houses must comply with the identification requirements of the state for which

the angler is licensed.

- No person may erect a dark house, fish house or shelter within 10 feet of an existing

dark house, fish house or shelter.

- Portable dark houses, fish houses and shelters may be used for fishing within the

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), but must be removed from the

ice each night. The structure must be removed from the BWCAW each time the

occupant leaves the BWCAW.

Media contact: Maj. Roger Tietz, operations support manager, Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement, Camp Ripley, 1-800-366-8917, ext. 2516.

[Orlip]

Quote:

---

I think with all the posts about the shelter license changes, it is probably time for a sticky at the top to let everyone know what the new rules and regulations are. It seems easy enough to understand, but the question is posed pretty much once a day in a new thread.

Basic jist of the rule change, if you leave the house unattended overnight, you need a shelter tag. If you do not leave the house unattended, you do not need a shelter tag. If you spend the night in your wheel house, it doesn't need a shelter tag, but if you leave it on the ice while you go back to the resort and have dinner, it needs a tag. All shelters need to have your driver's license number or DNR identification number in readable letters at least 2" tall in a contrasting color. Pretty easy.

---

I think that people are reading to much into this. You state that if go to dinner you need the shelter license however the house is not "unattended overnight" so as long as you get back there you would be ok. Thats my interpretation of the law. I think its best if you call the dnr or better yet email them that way you have a paper copy of there response.

Just my .0199 worth

[DTro]

I'm pretty sure that the DNR won't be out there waiting for someone to leave their house and then putting them on the clock. Or showing up at 11:59 and then writing a ticket at 12:00.

He may make a note of an unattended house and then check back at a later date. If unattended again....I would think you will get a citation.

[Shack]

Not to offend anyone, but I have a firm idea of what the law reads and I am going forward. I guess if someone does not know about the law change, they will be buying a $11 or $12 shelter license anyways. Again, not trying to offend anyone at all (not what I am about), but I think people are reading into this law a little further than they have to. Now I confess, I have my self done this in the past and made my calls to the local CO, so I really can not say to much. .

As for it being a sticky, the mods will make the wise choice in the end. Also for just good people posting a question never hurt anyone, if it would help, I do not know. Its getting pretty filled up at the top of this forum as it is.

The one thing though I come to find with DNR and Co's, the first year of a law change like this one, they are pretty liberal with the verbal warnings. I do not think anyone will get a violation tag this winter about this law, unless it is some major gross violation of this law or the intention was to break this law. Just a regular good old Joe out in his porty or pull behind, is not going to be messed with.

[Chode2235]

I just think the confusion comes from it not being included in the regulations book, which is the 'go to, definitive" source for me and my regulation questions.

Its clear now that I read it, but the release of this information is confusing at best. As long as the COs explain it, rather than cite for it, all will be OK.

[JP Z]

There is a great article about this in this weeks Outdoor news. Very informative on all the changes.

[blue_healer_guy]

Any questions or a gray area, just buy a license, they are cheap.

[bgreen82]

what was the change? did you need a license if using the house at all in the past?