BWCA & Quetico Fishing Licenses and Regulations

Minnesota Fishing Licenses (BWCAW)

Minnesota Residents

  • To qualify as a resident, an individual must maintain a legal residence in Minnesota for at least 60 consecutive days before purchasing a license.
  • Residents must have their social security number on file with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or provide it at the time of purchase.
  • Residents 21 or older must provide a current Minnesota Driver’s License or ID card.
  • A non-resident under age 21 whose parent is a Minnesota resident is considered a resident.
  • All residents under age 16 are allowed to take their own limit of fish without purchasing a license.
 Minnesota Resident Licenses & Fees
Annual:  $25
Conservation Annual (reduced bag limits):  $17
Married Couple Annual:  $40
72 hour: $14
24-hour (exempt from trout stamp):  $12
Youth Ages 16 to 17 Annual or Youth Own Limit (exempt from trout stamp):  $5
Trout Stamp (required for designated trout lakes):  $10
Walleye Stamp (Not required to fish for walleye.
The stamp is a voluntary option to support walleye habitat.):  $5

Purchase fishing licenses online by clicking here.

Non-Residents of Minnesota

  • Non-residents must have their social security number on file with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or provide it at the time of purchase.
  • Non-residents under age 16 do not need a license if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid fishing license. The child’s limit is included in the parent’s unless they have a Non-Resident Family license or the child buys an individual license.
  • Non-residents under age 16 are required to purchase a “Youth Ages 16 to 17 or Youth Own Limit Annual” license if not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid fishing license.
Non-Resident Licenses and Fees
Annual:  $51
7-day:  $43
72-hour:  $36
24-hour (exempt from trout stamp):  $14
Married Couple 14-day:  $54
Family:  $68
Youth Ages 16 to 17 or Youth Own Limit Annual:  $5
Trout Stamp (required for designated trout lakes):  $10
Walleye Stamp (Not required to fish for walleye.
The stamp is a voluntary option to support walleye habitat.):  $5

Purchase fishing licenses online by clicking here.

International Anglers

Individuals from outside the United States can obtain a non-resident fishing license by using their passport number, foreign driver’s license number, or green card identification number in lieu of a United States driver’s license or social security number.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is live bait allowed in the BWCA? Yes.
  2. Are barbed hooks allowed in the BWCA? Yes. You may consider the use of barbless hooks to reduce the impact on fish.
  3. Is lead tackle allowed in the BWCA? Yes. You may consider the use of lead-free tackle to reduce the impact of lead in the environment.

Ontario Fishing Licenses (Quetico Park)

Individuals fishing anywhere in Ontario including Quetico Provincial Park need both an Outdoors Card and a fishing license. Purchase an Outdoors Card and fishing license by clicking here. Licenses may not be available at Quetico Ranger Stations. Click here for information about seasons, limits, and fishing regulations within Quetico Provincial Park.

Non-Canadian Residents

  • Non-Canadian residents 18 years old and older must purchase a fishing license.
  • Non-Canadian residents under age 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by an adult with a valid fishing license. Any fish kept are part of the catch and possession limit of the person who holds the license.
  • Non-Canadian residents under age 18 may purchase a license to have their own limits.
Ontario License and Fee
Non-Resident Outdoors Card:  $9.68 Canadian
Non-Resident, Annual:  $84.96 Canadian
Non-Resident, Annual Conservation (Reduced bag limits):  $31.10 Canadian
Non-Resident 8-day:  $54.67 Canadian
Non-Resident 8-day Conservation (Reduced bag limits):  $31.10 Canadian

Purchase Ontario fishing licenses online by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is live bait allowed in Quetico? No. Live or dead organic bait is prohibited. This includes worms, leeches, and salted minnows.
  2. Are barbed hooks allowed to be used in Quetico? No. Use of barbed hooks is not allowed. Anglers may possess barbed hooks, but any barb must be crimped before it is attached to a fishing line.
  3. Is lead tackle allowed in Quetico? Yes. You may consider the use of lead-free tackle to reduce the impact of lead in the environment.

We love talking all things BWCAW related at the Ely Outfitting Company so if you have any questions about fishing in the Boundary Waters and fishing regulations, please contact us.