Warning to anyone wanting to fish Minnasota

In July they will be enacting a new law that any boat trailer. Boat dock any thing that can be transferred from lake to lake . Must take a test then purchase a sticker for your boat trailer .This applies to anyone that passes threw the state with a boat and trailer. If you do not have the sticker you will be issued a fine. The reason is to try and stop invasive species. It will be a online test taking 20 to 30 minutes then they will mail you a sticker. They haven't put a cost on it as of late. It will be good for 3 years.

I heard the same thing from some of my "in-laws".
I am all for stopping invasive species.
I don't care if I need to be tested ..
I have my Kan. ANS Certificate.

But the FEES.....
It cost me a fair amount of $$$ for me to tow my boat about 1400 miles (round trip) plus out of state fishing Lic.
I just hate to see more $$$.
So if I am driving through MN on my way to Canada,,Never get off the interstae highway I will need to Stop and take a test and Pay$$
I hope they have a Boat Check point at the state line so a person can take the test and PAY $$$..
Just like the stop trucks and check them.
Next thing they will do is if you bring fishing equipment through the state you will have to get a Fishing lic. even if you do not fish.
I wonder how this will affect Boat dealer that have demo boats?

Last year when I was up in MN. - at one of the bigger lakes DNR had a place where you sprayed off your boats and trailers as you came out of the water.

Guess since I'm going to be on a fixed income soon, I hate to see more FEES.

Rick

I went the Web Site
MNDNR trailer decals and training
If you trailer a boat or water-related equipment like docks and lifts in Minnesota, you must take AIS training and get a trailer decal.
■Online training will be available here in January 2015.
■Paper home-study training packets will also be available in January 2015 by calling 651-351-2000.
■Trailer decals are required on trailers starting July 1, 2015.

Here is the some more info.

DNR postpones AIS training and trailer decal program

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will postpone the new aquatic invasive species training and trailer decal program that was due to launch at the end of the month while legislators consider changes to the program.

Under a law passed by the state Legislature in 2012, anyone trailering a boat or water-related equipment such as docks and lifts in Minnesota is required to take aquatic invasive species training and display a decal on their trailer. The effective date is July 1, 2015.

“With the legislative interest in this educational program and ongoing discussions about possible changes, we are postponing the launch until we see if the Legislature acts this session to modify the program,” said Bob Meier, DNR assistant commissioner.

The DNR supports the education that would be provided under this law, but recognizes there are some concerns with the way the law is currently written. For example, people transporting boats on trailers through Minnesota to another destination are required to take the course and display a decal even if they don’t put their boat in Minnesota waters.

Since the training and decal are currently not required until July 1, the DNR wants to remind people that there will be time to see what happens legislatively and still take the course and receive decals. The agency will post any updates on trailers at MNDNR trailer decals and training and alert the media if there are any program changes.

Rick

Kudo's to Minnesota. A genuine effort to restrict or at least curb the spread of Zebra's. Complete with fines if no compliance. Shows how weak and futile our own states efforts were. Our lakes and reservoirs never stood a chance against invasion with the weak leadership of KDWP. Blame budget cuts if you will but our program was lame to say the least.