Hunting, fishing licenses will be facilitated through DNR's new electronic system starting next month

Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources is launching a modern, secure electronic licensing system starting next month, initially rolling out fishing and hunting licenses. Phase one begins June 9, allowing licenses to be purchased via a mobile app, online, or in person, with the license carried as a physical copy, PDF, or in the app. The old system will remain in use until 11:59 p.m. on June 1, after which data will be migrated to the new system. From June 2 to June 8, license sales will pause and people may fish without a license, though regulations and bag limits still apply. Staff will assist users through the transition with guides and how-to videos, and the outgoing system has been in use for more than 25 years. Phase two, which will expand to recreational vehicle and watercraft titling and registration, has not yet announced a start date. The DNR is also proposing a statewide walleye bag limit reduction from six to four to support conservation. This shift represents a major modernization aimed at simplifying licensing while maintaining regulatory safeguards.