Lifetime Angling License

[Water Hazard]

My mother-in-law just posed this question of me and I want to make sure I give her the right answer.

She'd like to purchase a lifetime angling license for my father-in-law. Her question is, does a MN Lifetime angling license cover all types of fishing in the state of MN? For example, does it cover open water and ice fishing? Are all fish included (excluding fish that you need stamps for)?

Here is what the DNR HSOforum says:

Lifetime Angling License

A lifetime angling license authorizes a person to take fish by angling in the state. The license does not include a trout or salmon stamp, or other stamps required by law. The licensee must obtain an annual license at no

fee each year the license is used.

The way I see it, a Lifetime license works just like an annual license (e.g. it works in the summer and the winter). Is that correct?

Are there any concerns/issues with lifetime license that anyone is aware of?

Thanks!

[BoxMN]

Correct, it covers everything but stamps. The good things about it are that he will never need to "buy" a license again (but he still has to go through the motions of getting it) and if they would ever move out of state, it is still good. Also, if (when) license fees go up, he won't have to pay the increase.

The only downside is for people who count their $$ and they say it would be better to put the money into a fund and still buy a license each year.

I haven't got a lifetime yet, but not sure why I don't. I might this next year, and also I might get one for my Grandkids, as they have much more time left to use it than me

[Sandmannd]

It's good for ice and open water, just need to buy the stamps. I want to get one for me, but haven't coughed up the change yet.

[Coach Dog]

I have a cousin that knew he was moving out of state, so he bought it before he left. Now he will not have to buy the non-resident license every year.

[Jameson]

One thing to think about is that the DNR doesn't let anyone upgrade from a lifetime fishing to a lifetime sports. I got mine one of the first years they were available. At the time I only fished, and didn't do any hunting, so I bought just the lifetime fishing. Now I do a lot of hunting and I wish I had the lifetime sports (small game and fishing) license.

A person still must "renew" their lifetime license each year. This was a huge hassle when the lifetime licenses first came out as the store clerks were new to lifetime licenses as well. As the years have gone by, the stores have become accustomed to dealing with the lifetime licenses and all usually goes smoothly now. I believe a person can now even "renew" their license over the internet.

[eyehunter]

I don't mean to hijack your post.....but I was wondering what the lefetime license costs??

[Sandmannd]

Another question, do you know it works if you usually get the husband wife combo? My wife only fishes a couple of times a year so it doesn't pay to get her her own license, we just do the spouse one.

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

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I don't mean to hijack your post.....but I was wondering what the lefetime license costs??

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Age Group Fishing Small Game Sports Firearms deer Archery deer

3 and under $227 $217 $357 $337 $337

4 to 15 $300 $290 $480 $450 $450

16 to 50 $383 $363 $613 $573 $573

51 and over $203 $213 $413 $383 $383

And I answered my own question: Lifetime licenses are issued to individuals only

An individual licensee may have more than one type of lifetime license, however, the licenses are for individuals only, there are no combination lifetime licenses.

You can find it all here: Lifetime Licensing

Just added the cost real quick (cause I'm anal like that). If I got the sportsman (which I believe is both fishing and small game for life) and live till I'm 80 (wishful thinking the way I've been going) the total is $613 for a lifetime license. If I just buy one every year for the next 43 years it would cost me $774 for fishing and $860 for small game for a total of $1,634. This is assuming if the rates don't go up at all and, come one, we live in MN. You don't think they are going to keep rates down for 40 years do ya? Anyway, that's a savings of $1,021 over the 43 years. Sounding like a better deal to me. I may have to get one with my tax returns.

[SDbowhunter]

I have lifetime sportsman, archery, and rifle licences. It was a really great deal for me since I purchased these before moving out of the state. Its not as great for me as far as fishing goes since a fishing licence is so cheap for non residents but it really pays off for hunting. I find it is still a hassel trying to get a licence from the clerk because most barely know how to run the machine to get a regular licence let alone the lifetime.

[UMDSportsman]

I have the lifetimes sports and firearm. I got these while i was 15 before the prices jump. I did not hunt with bow or muzzy then, now all i have to pay the difference between the all season and the firearms license, and any stamps. I am set for life.

[Water Hazard]

Thanks everyone! I passed along your comments to my mother-in-law.