DNR Report: New watercraft operator permit requirements go into effect Tuesday

New boater education law starts Tuesday, July 1, in Minnesota

ST. PAUL — A new Minnesota boater education law goes into effect Tuesday, July 1, requiring boaters to have an operator’s permit if they are age 21 or younger. To obtain the permit, eligible boaters must complete an online safety course or be accompanied by someone who already has a permit. The age requirement will increase incrementally each year until all operators born after June 30, 1987, are required to have a permit. Out-of-state visitors…

DNR Report: New watercraft operator permit requirements go into effect Tuesday

District 5 - Eveleth area CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored area lakes and access sites and reports fishing success has slowed. ATV activity remains constant. CO Sean Cannon (Cook) reports the bite is still slow, with not many fish in live wells. Boating activity continues to be up with the warmer weather, and an extremely busy upcoming Independence day weekend is expected. Enforcement action included boat registration issues, loud motorboat exhaus…

Fishing, ATV activity highlight workloads for many DNR officers in northwest Minnesota

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota and adjacent areas of northern Minnesota for Monday, June 30, 2025. District 1 - Baudette area CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on the Roseau River and followed up on a couple of fishing cases from the previous weekend on Lake of the Woods. Assistance was given to the Greenbush ATV Safety Class. CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the…