I spoke with the coast guard at the sports show in Minneapolis yesterday and was informed that they have indeed declared Mille Lacs federal waters. If you or someone you know guides on the lake, get ready to jump through the hoops and get your “six-pack”.
I seen that coming seeing as there is a “sovereign” nation on Mille Lacs. There a lot more waters they are adding to the list as well. I am guessing that if you are a guide on any body of water you may want to call the Coast Guard and ask about the body of water you fish before you get out guiding this year.
Why would they change to nav. water after all the years that it was not? 
The same reason the Federal Government does everything else…their tinker toy sets are wearing out and they need to buy new ones.
What people fail to realize is that this will effect much more than just a fishing guide on this lake. It also effect anybody who launches a fishing or pleasure vessel. they will all need special and certified equipment to boat on Mille Lacs. Certain life jackets, flares, fire extingusers, batteries in sealed boxes, VHF radios, etc. It will cost the average person hunreds of dollars to be in compliance just to spend a day of fishing on the big pond. I think that business in this area will suffer once this takes effect. Thanks to all who drank the Obama koolaid.
Walleyebry #993
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What people fail to realize is that this will effect much more than just a fishing guide on this lake. It also effect anybody who launches a fishing or pleasure vessel. they will all need special and certified equipment to boat on Mille Lacs. Certain life jackets, flares, fire extingusers, batteries in sealed boxes, VHF radios, etc. It will cost the average person hunreds of dollars to be in compliance just to spend a day of fishing on the big pond. I think that business in this area will suffer once this takes effect. Thanks to all who drank the Obama koolaid.
Walleyebry #993
Walleyebry, Don’t go making more Coolaid. Recreational boats on federal waters have few if any extra requirements than boats on state waters. Link Know the truth before you spread the rumors.
So is the MN DNR still responsible for checking on all of these laws or is there going to be another form (agency) of government out on the lake?
It is true that the new rules only affect “guides” and not pleasure craft. I’m not upset with the safety issues but I’m not a fan of more government intervention. I heard the coast guard shut down the mississippi to all boaters until the water receeds, can anyone varify this?
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It is true that the new rules only affect “guides” and not pleasure craft. I’m not upset with the safety issues but I’m not a fan of more government intervention. I heard the coast guard shut down the mississippi to all boaters until the water receeds, can anyone varify this?
Nope thats not at all true. There were quite a few of us out on Saturday in red wing, and the nice dnr/sheriff folks who swung over to check us didn’t mention it 
Jami
Just like what I said. Flares, Pfds, VHF radios , etc. Just like you would need on Great Lakes. I used to fish Lakes Superior and Michigan quite frequently when I lived close to them. Federal also means navigable, which makes it just like the Great Lakes. Hence, the 6 pack license for guides.
This is exactly what Im talking about.
Walleyebry #993
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Nope thats not at all true. There were quite a few of us out on Saturday in red wing, and the nice dnr/sheriff folks who swung over to check us didn’t mention it
Jami
I think they were playing “good CO/bad CO”. The skinnier of the two COs scrutinized the heck out of my float coat Coast Guard tag on the inside. Not sure if he’d never seen a float coat before or what.
Overall they were very polite and professional.
Jump threw hoops is rite. Im still trying to get every thing together to send in my application. Have you got yours sent in yet Jason?
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Just like what I said. Flares, Pfds, VHF radios , etc. Just like you would need on Great Lakes. I used to fish Lakes Superior and Michigan quite frequently when I lived close to them. Federal also means navigable, which makes it just like the Great Lakes. Hence, the 6 pack license for guides.
This is exactly what Im talking about.
Walleyebry #993
I don’t want to be rude, but please read the laws before you spread rumors.
Flares $26. Everything else is required under MN laws. That means everyone should already have the PDFs, fire extinguisher, horns, etc. So this will cost someone who doesn’t have flares $30.
VHF radios are recommended, NOT REQUIRED on federal waters for most pleasure crafts dependent on size.
I’m all for guides having to have a 6 pack. I like knowing that someone responsible for my life had to take a course regarding the laws and safety regulations. If the Griz survived the 6 pack, I think others will do just fine.
I agree with Ruger, should’nt be that big of a deal to comply with the CG rules for recreational boaters.
I guess I’m curious where they would base out of. I would hope they keep a boat in the water. Right now there is no official monitor of channel 16 for emergencies. I would rather have a cell phone than a radio right now!!
-J.
So what will the launch Captains need to have to take out more than 6 customers? It sounds like a 6 pack license wont do it.
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I guess I’m curious where they would base out of. I would hope they keep a boat in the water. Right now there is no official monitor of channel 16 for emergencies. I would rather have a cell phone than a radio right now!!
-J.
i’ve always wondered about the whole “emergency channel” on the radio. does someone monitor it on the river? or any other bodies of water? as of now i use it to lock through, and thats it. like you mentioned, i would use my cell phone for an emergency.
Great Lakes has monitoring stations all over! There is a CG station Downtown St Paul and one in Prescott. Start yaking on 16 there and you will get a response from the CG!!
-J.
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So what will the launch Captains need to have to take out more than 6 customers? It sounds like a 6 pack license wont do it.
thats a good question!
Sorry to rain on your parade Ruger, but maybe you should look into it more before speaking. The 6 pack license is not easy or cheap to get. Its a 5 part test. If you pass, you are certified to run a vessel up to 240 feet and 200 tons. You will be required to read and maintain charts, and have them in your boat at all times. Even with the classes, the average pass rate the first time through is very low. Classes are usually in metro areas, so travel and motel bills are high. With all the certification, classes, federal background check, and tests, the amount just to take the test can run into the thousands. It is not just about safety, Its mostly about being able to navigate a mine sweeper through Hudson Bay without running aground.
Walleyebry #993
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Sorry to rain on your parade Ruger, but maybe you should look into it more before speaking. The 6 pack license is not easy or cheap to get. Its a 5 part test. If you pass, you are certified to run a vessel up to 240 feet and 200 tons. You will be required to read and maintain charts, and have them in your boat at all times. Even with the classes, the average pass rate the first time through is very low. Classes are usually in metro areas, so travel and motel bills are high. With all the certification, classes, federal background check, and tests, the amount just to take the test can run into the thousands. It is not just about safety, Its mostly about being able to navigate a mine sweeper through Hudson Bay without running aground.
Walleyebry #993
I didn’t know we were debating the 6 pack. I don’t know enough about the 6 pack to debate it. I was debating your comments about recreational boaters.
With that being said, I’m not a guide. However I’ve heard enough horror stories and seen enough bad guides. I’m all for regulating the guide business.
I spent a lot of years in college and spent a lot of money to be registered and certified to do what I do. You aren’t going to get much sympathy from me that guides are slightly inconvenienced for a short time to be certified.
Like I said, I don’t know enough about the 6 pack to debate it. However the gov’t must have thought they had a good reason to impose it like they did.
I’m anxiously awaiting the CG to impose some training and regulations on the huge pleasure cruisers on the river. 
The Griz only has a 9th grade education and he managed to pass this course and get his 6 pack. Star Trib Article
After reading the article though, I didn’t realize it was the equivalent of 3 college credits. Congrats to the Griz for overcoming what must have been a sizable challenge.
I have searched the net for over an hour now and can’t find any official announcement.
Can anyone find this info from a reliable, known source?
-J.
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So what will the launch Captains need to have to take out more than 6 customers? It sounds like a 6 pack license wont do it.
I believe they are already required to have some type of Captain’s license. I know Jason from Hunter’s had to go to some classes.
It has nothing to do with the fish guiding business. It enables a captain to take people aboard his or her vessel for hire. This does not regulate the guiding industry. It is just another attempt by the government to get more involved in our personal and recreational lives. Anybody who uses they boat for anything, diving, sailing, sightseeing, etc. where they are charging people a fee, will be required to possess this license. It has nothing to do with fishing. Its all about charging a fee on Federal waters. The way things are going, You may have to someday change your name from Ruger 2506 to Beeman .177.
Walleyebry #993
I heard that this was all pushed by other guide(s) who already had the licence and pushed it to use as a competitive advantage over other guides.
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The way things are going, You may have to someday change your name from Ruger 2506 to Beeman .177.
Walleyebry #993
Now that’s funny. 
What have you been up to Mike? Finally getting my physical done today for my application. New boat should be here this week and Bill said he’d come down and help me put in the radio, depth finders…etc. Put the initial site up this week: jasonsfishinaddiction.com let me know what you think.
Trashman, with all the guides going out of business because of the extra equipment and the cost of the licensing, drug testing, physical and “charts”, how can you afford a new boat, a website AND comply with the law??
Hope I’m not being to personal.
……also on the hijack
The hyperlink to your site (Link in profile) is broke. I did check out your site. I clicked on every link and still can’t figure out what lakes or river you guide on???? Or even what state!! 
-J.
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I heard that this was all pushed by other guide(s) who already had the licence and pushed it to use as a competitive advantage over other guides.
I have heard this rumor to but believe it to be just that. The license rules have been in place for many years. Something happened with national security that enforcement of these rules is now taking place. This comes from a explanation we received in our class from the coast guard.
Im sure some where some guide may be calling the CG about another guide not being licensed but would imagine most have better things to do.
This is also not a local issues. Guess this is taking place across the entire USA.
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What have you been up to Mike? Finally getting my physical done today for my application. New boat should be here this week and Bill said he’d come down and help me put in the radio, depth finders…etc. Put the initial site up this week: jasonsfishinaddiction.com let me know what you think.
Been slowly plucking away at my application to. This thing is a mind boggling work of art. The best thing seems to be not to put to much thought into any part of it other wise it makes no sense at all.
I would say so far the process is not difficult. It is more time and money consuming than any thing. Dollar wise its going to be about 2k. Our class and most everything we needed was local so not much extra expense there. Time wise I would guess around 80hrs. Some of this is spent scratching your head wondering what is this Im doing.
Jon. Might want to check with the local coast guard to get the answer direct from them. Is John Ney the guy we would need to talk to?
Jason, who did you talk to about this at the show?
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