05/29/2026
As many of you probably heard, the Minnesota DNR is making some changes to how fishing licenses are issued. We are getting more and more questions each week about this so I'd like to try and answer some questions.
First, yes, Minnesota is moving to a digital fishing license system. You are no longer required to carry a paper copy of a fishing license on you, you can have a digital version on your phone.
Can you still get a printed license? Yes, but not at Birch Forest Lodge. Sorry. In 2017 we applied for what is called an Agent's License to issue hunting and fishing licenses here at Birch Forest Lodge. Since then we have printed hundreds of licenses. And it has been our pleasure to help you get a license. This spring the DNR decided to rescind all agents licenses and we had to reapply. We did so. And we were informed that the state is now requiring businesses who print and issue licenses to purchase certain pieces of equipment, including a special computer and printer. This will cost us a couple thousand dollars. We apologize to those who previously picked up fishing licenses here. With operating costs skyrocketing we are trying to keep costs down so we can continue to offer a quality vacation at an affordable rate. Since we don't make any money on fishing licenses, we decided to not purchase the equipment. With this decision, the DNR will not allow us to print licenses.
Where can you get a license printed? For many people, purchasing a digital fishing license might not seem like a big deal. Most states in the US and all of Canada use a digital fishing license. But for those of our customers who either aren't comfortable getting a license online or prefer to have a printed copy, we get it. You can still get a fishing license at Walmart, most fleet farm supply companies statewide, and locally at Norman's One Stop, and at Pelican Bay Foods.
How do you get one online? Go here-https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/online-sales.html
Once the page loads, scroll down and click on get started. You will need your drivers license and need to know your social security number. If you have an old license with the Minnesota DNR number that will make the process faster.
Again, we are sorry to no longer be able to serve you in this manner. If you still want to come up to the lodge and do the process, we are happy to help you do it on your phone.
Thanks and we look forward to a good, long summer of excellent fishing on Pelican Lake!!!
