MN Lifetime Sportsman License – Fishing MN/WI

Hi all!

I have a question regarding fishing the boundary waters of the Mississippi River between MN and WI. I was born and raised in MN, but moved to WI after college for job purposes. I had enough foresight at the time to purchase a Lifetime Sportsman and Gun Deer license before I claimed residency in WI.

Now, I am wondering if I need to buy a WI fishing license to fish the boundary waters in the La Crosse area or can I fish it with the sportsman license I obtain from my lifetime license.

Thanks for any input!!!

The way the law reads is that you must have a license from the state you reside in to fish boundry waters so yes you need a WI license.

Good question, but I would call the MN DNR and ask.

I would think you can fish any water with your lifetime liecense that you can with a normal license. The license is to be no different than a standard license. It’s also possible that the wording referneced is older and was not revised when the lifetime license became available.

Best of luck. Report back what you find out.

Quote:

---

The way the law reads is that you must have a license from the state you reside in to fish boundry waters so yes you need a WI license.

---

Correct. I am/was in the same boat as you.

FDR

If you purchased a lifetime license in Minnesota and now have residence in WI, then I believe your Minn license is no longer valid. You cannot possess a fishing or hunting license in both states as a resident.

If you have bought a WI fishing, hunting license already then you would be breaking the law using a MN license if I remember right. I had the same thing happen to me courtesy of Mont and MN. Better check your residency rules first.

FF

From the MN DNR website regarding lifetime license.

Resident lifetime license is valid even if the licensee moves out of state

A lifetime license remains valid even if the license holders moves out of Minnesota. The licensee will still need to obtain an annual license to hunt or fish in Minnesota. However once you become a Nonresident you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchased as a resident. You are not eligible for any other resident license or resident opportunities.

You beat me to it.

From MN DNR site:

Resident lifetime license is valid even if the licensee moves out of state

A lifetime license remains valid even if the license holder moves out of Minnesota. The licensee will still need to obtain an annual license to hunt or fish in Minnesota. However once you become a Nonresident you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchase as a resident. You are not eligible for any other resident license or resident opportunities.

Quote:

---

From the MN DNR website regarding lifetime license.

Resident lifetime license is valid even if the licensee moves out of state

A lifetime license remains valid even if the license holders moves out of Minnesota. The licensee will still need to obtain an annual license to hunt or fish in Minnesota. However once you become a Nonresident you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchased as a resident. You are not eligible for any other resident license or resident opportunities.

---

Thanks for the input and research. I was wondering this same thing. Now I wonder what the rules are if I move to Canada

WI DNR site for WI/MN Boundry waters:

Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other
states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations
of the state in which you are fishing.

Quote:

---

Thanks for the input and research. I was wondering this same thing. Now I wonder what the rules are if I move to Canada

---

Who cares ? If you live in Canada, why would you want to fish in MN

Quote:

---

Thanks for the input and research. I was wondering this same thing. Now I wonder what the rules are if I move to Canada

---

Is Canada out of state?……..

If you fish in Canada you have to convert your livewell to a deadwell.

Being an ex-WoodDuck (ex-minnesotan) who also became a Cheddarhead, i sympathize AND empathasize. When the lifetime license became available, i bought fishing,small game (pheasant) and deer.

Then i moved to Wisconsin. Minnesota told me my licenses were no longer valid. I dropped the issue and buy MN licenses each year (hehehehe, which is why i can use 5 lines below Red Wing heheheheh)

This is the quote that interests me:
“The licensee will still need to obtain an annual license to hunt or fish in Minnesota. However once you become a Nonresident you are only eligible for the specific lifetime license you had purchased as a resident. You are not eligible for any other resident license or resident opportunities. “

Anyone want to make a stab at explaining it to me…??

Massey-
For your own peace of mind, i’d buy the Wi fishing at least so that if you DO fish below MN’s state line, you’ve definitely got a valid license. There’s some nice fish down there. Don’t glow like our Red Wing fish…

Stu – whatever lifetime licenses you buy stay with you, but if you move out of state, any OTHER licenses you need will be non-res.

For ex: You buy a Lifetime angling license and then move out of state…… the following year, you get your FREE fishing license that now lists your residence as another state…..but if you want to buy a spearing license or a small game – you pay the non-res fee.

I bought the non-res sportsman lic before I left MN and I came home and hunted/fished every year I was away….my lifetime license “renewal” was free, but listed my addy as WI. It was well worth it.

I’ll tell you guys, I think it’s a no brainer. I’m buying my son a lifetime lic once he turns 1 year old. That’s probably the best gambling odds on return on your money you’ll ever get.