Outdoor Insights: Time to raise Minnesota fishing license fees for nonresidents? And more election season thoughts

Quick comments on a few stories that have appeared in the news recently… • A buddy’s post on social media last weekend lamented the layers of permits and expense to hunt North Dakota for waterfowl these days. His post went viral among Minnesotans tired of how North Dakota treats nonresidents, especially given the one-zone, one-time waterfowl structure from 2025 that limits hunters to one area of the state for seven days. Then, from certificates to watercraft AIS stickers to stamps, the total tops $200 fast. One comment even asked, “What’s the price of fine without all the stuff lol.” During a chat at a recent event promoting wild game chef Hank Shaw’s new cookbook, a hard-core 30-something hunter and I discussed the crazy fees we encounter for upland birds and waterfowl in the Dakotas. Rightfully fed up, he declared that Minnesota needs to charge more for nonresidents fishing in the state. Your seasoned managing editor sighed and (patiently) explained that some of us fought that battle