1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to game and fish; modifying age-related exemptions for certain licenses;
1.3 amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 97A.451, subdivisions 2, 3; 97A.475,
1.4 subdivisions 2, 3, 6, 7, 20; 97B.022, subdivision 2; 97B.601, subdivision 4;
1.5 repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.451, subdivisions 2a, 3b, 5, 6.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.451, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.8 Subd. 2.Residents and nonresidents under age 16 18; fishing.(a) A resident or
1.9nonresident under the age of 16 18 years may take fish without a license.
1.10 (b) A resident or nonresident under the age of 16 18 may net ciscoes and whitefish for
1.11personal consumption without the license required under section 97A.475, subdivision 13.
1.12A resident or nonresident netting ciscoes and whitefish under this paragraph must follow
1.13all other applicable requirements for netting ciscoes and whitefish for personal consumption.
1.14 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.451, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.15 Subd. 3.Residents and nonresidents under age 16 18; small game.(a) A resident or
1.16nonresident under age 16 18 may not obtain a small-game license but may take small game
1.17by firearms or bow and arrow without a license if the resident or nonresident is:
1.18 (1) age 14, or 15, 16, or 17 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;
1.19 (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or
1.20guardian;
1.21 (3) age 13, 14, or 15, 16, or 17 and possesses an apprentice-hunter validation as provided
1.22under section 97B.022; or
1Sec. 2.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 626
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Swedzinski02/13/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy 2.1 (4) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
2.2 (b) A resident or nonresident under age 16 18 may take small game, other than wolves,
2.3by trapping without a small-game license, but a resident 13 years of age or older must have
2.4or a trapping license. A resident or nonresident under age 13 may trap small game, other
2.5than wolves, without a trapping license, but 18 may not register fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine
2.6marten unless the resident or nonresident is at least age five. Any fisher, otter, bobcat, or
2.7pine marten taken by a resident or nonresident under age five must be included in the limit
2.8of the accompanying parent or guardian.
2.9 (c) A resident or nonresident under age 13 must obtain a free turkey license to take
2.10turkey and may take a turkey without a firearms safety certificate if the resident or
2.11nonresident is accompanied by an adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety
2.12certificate.
2.13 (d) A resident under age 13 may apply for a prairie-chicken license and may take a
2.14prairie chicken without a firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an
2.15adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety certificate.
2.16 (e) Section 97B.601, subdivisions 3 and 3a, do not apply to nonresidents taking small
2.17game under this subdivision.
2.18 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.19 Subd. 2.Resident hunting.Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
2.20only, are:
2.21 (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $15.50;
2.22 (2) for persons age 65 or over, $7 to take small game;
2.23 (3) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $26;
2.24 (4) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $5;
2.25 (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
2.26season, $34;
2.27 (6) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $34;
2.28 (7) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
2.29season, $34;
2.30 (8) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $356;
2.31 (9) for persons age 18 or over to take bear, $44;
2Sec. 3.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 3.1 (10) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $287;
3.2 (11) to take light geese during the light goose conservation order, $2.50;
3.3 (12) to take sandhill crane during the sandhill crane season, $3;
3.4 (13) to take prairie chickens, $23;
3.5 (14) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the
3.6regular firearms season, $5;
3.7 (15) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $5;
3.8 (16) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by muzzleloader during
3.9the muzzleloader season, $5;
3.10 (17) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take bear, no fee;
3.11 (18) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take bear, $5;
3.12 (19) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour period
3.13selected by the licensee, $19, of which an amount equal to one-half of the fee for the
3.14migratory-waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
3.15waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half of
3.16the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in the
3.17pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and one-half
3.18of the small-game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited in the wildlife acquisition
3.19account;
3.20 (20) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take small game, $5;
3.21 (21) (20) to take wolf, $30;
3.22 (22) (21) for persons age 12 and under to take turkey, no fee;
3.23 (23) (22) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by firearm, no fee;
3.24 (24) (23) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by archery, no fee; and
3.25 (25) (24) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by muzzleloader during the
3.26muzzleloader season, no fee.
3.27 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.28 Subd. 3.Nonresident hunting.(a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to
3.29nonresidents, are:
3.30 (1) for persons age 18 or over to take small game, $90.50;
3Sec. 4.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 4.1 (2) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
4.2season, $180;
4.3 (3) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $180;
4.4 (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
4.5season, $180;
4.6 (5) for persons age 18 or over to take bear, $225;
4.7 (6) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $91;
4.8 (7) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $5;
4.9 (8) to take raccoon or bobcat, $178;
4.10 (9) to take light geese during the light goose conservation order, $2.50;
4.11 (10) to take sandhill crane during the sandhill crane season, $3;
4.12 (11) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the
4.13regular firearms season in any open season option or time period, $5;
4.14 (12) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $5;
4.15 (13) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer during the muzzleloader
4.16season, $5;
4.17 (14) for persons age 13 or over and under 18 to take bear, $5;
4.18 (15) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour period
4.19selected by the licensee, $75, of which an amount equal to one-half of the fee for the
4.20migratory-waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
4.21waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half of
4.22the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in the
4.23pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and one-half
4.24of the small-game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited into the wildlife
4.25acquisition account;
4.26 (16) for persons age 16 or 17 to take small game, $5;
4.27 (17) (16) to take wolf, $250;
4.28 (18) (17) for persons age 12 and under to take turkey, no fee;
4.29 (19) (18) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by firearm, no fee;
4.30 (20) (19) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by archery, no fee;
4Sec. 4.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 5.1 (21) (20) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by muzzleloader during the
5.2muzzleloader season, no fee; and
5.3 (22) (21) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take bear, no fee.
5.4 (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under paragraph
5.5(a), clauses (1) to (6) and (8). An additional commission may not be assessed on this
5.6surcharge.
5.7 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.475, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
5.8 Subd. 6.Resident fishing.Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents only,
5.9are:
5.10 (1) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, $25;
5.11 (2) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, for a combined license for a married
5.12couple, $40;
5.13 (3) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $6, and the
5.14person must possess an angling license;
5.15 (4) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected by
5.16the licensee, $12;
5.17 (5) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a consecutive 72-hour period
5.18selected by the licensee, $14; and
5.19 (6) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for three consecutive years, $71;
5.20and.
5.21 (7) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take fish by angling, $5.
5.22 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.475, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
5.23 Subd. 7.Nonresident fishing.(a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to
5.24nonresidents, are:
5.25 (1) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling, $46;
5.26 (2) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling limited to seven consecutive days
5.27selected by the licensee, $38;
5.28 (3) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a consecutive 72-hour period
5.29selected by the licensee, $31;
5Sec. 6.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 6.1 (4) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a combined license for a family
6.2for one or both parents and dependent children under the age of 16, $63;
6.3 (5) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected by
6.4the licensee, $14;
6.5 (6) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a married couple, limited to 14
6.6consecutive days selected by one of the licensees, $49; and
6.7 (7) for persons age 18 or over to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $12, and the
6.8person must possess an angling license; and.
6.9 (8) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take fish by angling, $5.
6.10 (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to all nonresident fishing licenses, except licenses
6.11issued under paragraph (a), clauses (5) and (8). An additional commission may not be
6.12assessed on this surcharge.
6.13 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.475, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
6.14 Subd. 20.Trapping licenses.(a) The fee for a license to trap fur-bearing animals, other
6.15than wolves, is:
6.16 (1) for residents over age 13 and under age 18, $5;
6.17 (2) (1) for residents age 18 or over and under age 65, $23;
6.18 (3) (2) for residents age 65 or over, $11.50; and
6.19 (4) (3) for nonresidents, $84.
6.20 (b) The fee for a license to trap wolves is $30, to be issued to residents only.
6.21 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.022, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.22 Subd. 2.Requirements.(a) A resident or nonresident born after December 31, 1979,
6.23who is age 12 or over and who does not possess a hunter education firearms safety certificate
6.24or a resident or nonresident born after December 31, 1989, who does not possess a trapper
6.25education certificate may be issued an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation. An
6.26apprentice-hunter/trapper validation may be purchased two license years in a lifetime and
6.27used to obtain hunting or trapping licenses during the same license year that the validation
6.28is purchased.
6.29 (b) An individual in possession of an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation may take
6.30small game, and antlerless deer, and bear only when accompanied by an adult who has a
6Sec. 8.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 7.1valid license to take the same species of game in Minnesota and whose license was not
7.2obtained using an apprentice validation.
7.3 (c) An individual in possession of an apprentice-hunter validation may hunt deer, other
7.4than antlerless deer, and bear only when accompanied by a resident adult who has a valid
7.5license to hunt the same species of game in Minnesota and whose license was not obtained
7.6using an apprentice-hunter validation.
7.7 (c) (d) When an individual in possession of an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation is
7.8hunting turkey or prairie chicken under paragraph (b), the accompanying adult may be
7.9licensed for another permit area or time period but must be licensed for the same season as
7.10the apprentice hunter. If the accompanying adult is not licensed for the same permit area or
7.11time period as the apprentice hunter, the accompanying adult may not shoot or possess a
7.12firearm or bow while accompanying the apprentice hunter under this paragraph.
7.13 (d) (e) An apprentice-hunter/trapper-validation holder must obtain all required licenses
7.14and stamps.
7.15 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.601, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
7.16 Subd. 4.Exception to license requirements.(a) A resident or nonresident under age
7.1716 18 may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license, and a resident
7.18under age 13 may and trap small game and fur-bearing animals, other than wolves, without
7.19a trapping license, as provided in section 97A.451, subdivision 3.
7.20 (b) A person may take small game, other than wolves, without a small-game license on
7.21land occupied by the person as a principal residence.
7.22 (c) An owner or occupant may take certain small game causing damage without a
7.23small-game or trapping license as provided in section 97B.655.
7.24 (d) A person may use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons under section 97B.621, subdivision
7.252, during the closed season without a license.
7.26 (e) A person may take a wolf, turkey, or prairie chicken without a small-game license.
7.27 Sec. 10. REPEALER.
7.28 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97A.451, subdivisions 2a, 3b, 5, and 6, are repealed.
7Sec. 10.
REVISOR CKM/EN 25-0278801/30/25 97A.451 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS RELATING TO AGE.
Subd. 2a.Residents age 16 or 17; spearing.Residents age 16 or over and under age 18 may
take fish by spearing without a spearing license but must possess a fishing license under section
97A.475, subdivision 6, clause (7).
Subd. 3b.Nonresidents age 16 or over and under age 18; small game.A nonresident age 16
or over and under age 18 may take small game by firearms or archery and may obtain a small-game
license at the youth fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (14), if the
nonresident possesses a firearms safety certificate or an apprentice-hunter validation as provided
under section 97B.022.
Subd. 5.Nonresident youth; angling.(a) A nonresident under age 16 may:
(1) take fish by angling without a license if a parent or guardian has a fishing license. Fish taken
by a nonresident under age 16 without a license must be included in the limit of the parent or
guardian;
(2) purchase a youth fishing license under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause
(8), and possess a limit of fish; or
(3) be included under a nonresident family angling license and possess a limit of fish.
(b) A nonresident age 16 or over and under age 18 must purchase a youth license to angle under
section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (8).
(c) Nonresidents age 16 or over and under age 18 may take fish by spearing without a spearing
license but must possess a fishing license under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (a),
clause (8).
(d) Nonresidents under age 16 may take fish by spearing without a spearing or angling license.
(e) Limits for fish taken by spearing must comply with one of the options listed under paragraph
(a).
Subd. 6.Nonresidents under age 16 attending camps; fishing.A nonresident under the age
of 16 that is attending a camp conducted by a nonprofit organization may take fish by angling in
adjacent and connected public waters without a license. The organization must have a certificate
from the commissioner that describes the public waters where the fishing is allowed. The nonresident
must possess a document, prescribed by the commissioner, for identification of the nonresident and
the authorized fishing waters. The document must be signed and dated within the current calendar
year by the person in charge of the camp.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 25-02788