Minnesota ice anglers who have spent $ 10,000 or more on their wheelhouse ice fishing shelters will need to pony up another $ 15 plus issuing fees for a Department of Natural Resources ice shelter license. Even though it's on wheels state law says it's not considered a portable shack. The license cost is $ 37 for non-residents.
The DNR last week reminded anglers that all non-portable ice shelters, including wheelhouse towable models, must be licensed. Only shelters that collapse, fold or are disassembled for transportation are considered "portable" and thus don't need a shelter license. The exception is that portable shelters left on the ice unattended — if the owner more than 200 feet away, such as overnight — must be licensed. (If any shelter is left out overnight, it also must have at least 2 square inches of reflective material on each side.)
The change in ice shelter definition went into effect in 2017. Shelter licenses are valid from March 1 through April 30 of the following year. A shelter license is not required on border waters between Minnesota and Wisconsin, Iowa or North and South Dakota.