Finally! You Soon Won’t Need A Paper License For The Minnesota DNR

I was just saying this the other day when we were fishing. "It's 2024, and we're still printing out paper licenses to go fishing?"

Fortunately, we've been able to buy licenses online for quite some time, but you've still been required to print them out and have them with you. In an age where everything is going paperless, why do we still need to do this?

Mobile App Coming In 2025

Well, starting this spring that will all change. The Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources has announced that a mobile app is coming. It will give Minnesotans more options for on-the-go licensing and registration.

The mobile app will arrive in March 2025. You'll be able to have a paperless license purchase and you harvest registration. Offline harvest registration will also be available when not in cell or internet service.

New For 2024 - Digital Images Of Hunting License Accepted

While the rest of the licensing is coming with the app, in the 2024 Hunting and Trapping Regulations, it states that a digital image of the license is sufficient. Here's the exact wording:

A person may use a digital image of a paper license issued to and received by the person to meet the requierement to possess a paper license. The image may be exhibited to a conservation officer or peace officer to meet the requierements. Hunters will still need a site tag or validation coupon for certain species indicated int eh regulations book.

Additional purchase options have been added.

You'll still be able to purchase your licenses online and in person. This is just another option. You can download your license as a PDF, access it in the app, or print it if you wish.

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Apply for hunting lotteries through the app.

You'll also be able to apply for the lottery through the app and access your lottery history.

More things to come in late 2025.

Later in the year, the DNR will offer a new system to search, enroll, and pay for education and safety training classes across the state. This will all be accessible through the mobile app.

Learn more about the new app and the changes coming in March 2025 from the Minnesota DNR's website.