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How to Catch Fish How to Tie Fishing Knots Fishing Gear and Tackle How to Fish with Lures How to Fish with Live Bait Fishing Safety Fishing Tips When to Fish Types of Fishing Fishing Terms Fishing and Conservation Fishing Resources View All

When to Saltwater Fish Saltwater Bait and Lures Saltwater Fishing Tackle Types of Saltwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Gear Saltwater Fish Species Saltwater Fishing FAQ View All

Best Freshwater Fishing When to Freshwater Fish Freshwater Bait and Lures Learn About Freshwater Fish Species Best Freshwater Fishing Gear Freshwater Fishing FAQ View All

Fly Fishing Basics Fly Fishing Flies Fly Fishing Gear Fly Casting View All

Ice Fishing Basics Ice Fishing Gear Ice Fishing Techniques View All

Boating Basics How to Boat Boating and Water Safety Choose Your Boat Use our Boat Explorer Tool Get on the Water View All

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Get A Fishing License

Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.

Register a Boat in Minnesota

You just bought a new boat and can’t wait to take the family on a Minnesota River fishing trip. As you start to prepare for your first outing, make sure you run through a pre-departure checklist of boating requirements that includes your boat registration and knowledge of the MN boating laws.

MINNESOTA BOATING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

As a boat operator, you are responsible for knowing the MN boating laws that pertain to topics such as boat registration, visual distress signals, life jackets, navigation lights, navigation aids, and trailering. In many states, it is a requirement that all beginning boaters take a boater education course prior to operating a motorized vessel.

IT’S NOT A FEE, IT’S A CONTRIBUTION

Be aware that when you apply for your boat registration, you will be required to pay a registration fee. Boat registration fees are collected to help with conservation and maintenance of state waterways. Public boat ramps, marinas, and waterway clean-up efforts are funded with boat registration dollars.

MINNESOTA BOAT REGISTRATION INFORMATION

All motorized watercraft 10ft and more needs to be registered in the state. Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years.
Any vessel that is used or moored on Minnesota waterways, including private lakes, must be registered.
When registering your boat for the first time, make sure you know its length, manufacturer, type of hull material, type of propulsion, model, year, serial identification number, and have the sales receipt ready.

MN BOATING LAWS & REGULATIONS

Minnesota has its own set of boating rules to protect the waterways and keep everyone who uses them safe.

MN BOATING LAWS & REGULATIONS

RESPONSIBLE BOATING STARTS WITH YOU

Learn how to take care of your crew and your boat, while also taking care of our valuable water resources.

BOATING AND WATER SAFETY

BOATING SAFETY COURSES

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

MN BOATING RESOURCES/INFO

Additional resources and information can be found directly on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site.

BOAT REGISTRATION & INFORMATION