Did I miss a topic about MN not requiring out of state canoes to be licensed in either their home state or MN? Is it just in BWCA or the whole state? News to me.

A friend of mine from IND said he didn't need to buy a MN license last Sept for his BWCA trip. There's a few states that don't require canoes to be licensed IND, MI, for sure, probably more.

Got stopped on Seagull Lake (I think it was), and outside BWCA by MN game warden or whatever (he was in motorboat)
and he definitely checked for boat registration on our canoe (had registered in NY).   I do think it is necessary for anyplace in MN - for the most part, though I'm pretty ignorant of BW put ins, you drive to a put in parking,  and portage to the first lake, which is often not in BW?

I don't know when you were stopped but law changed a year or so ago. Less than 90 consecutive days (or is it 60?) In MN and I think  you only need home state registration IF your state requires it.

I live in Illinois but never paddle here, so probably won't reregister.  Some point out the value of voluntary registration to assist in recovery from loss or theft.

This is a distantly-related question: does an American canoe need to be registered in ANY state to cross the border into Canada?

My guess is "no" BUT what Bill says about the "value of voluntary registration to assist in recovery from loss or theft" makes sense to me.  The reason for this question is that my brother - who lives in Texas - just purchased a brand new Prism which he had delivered to my house.  He intends to come get it and take it across the border with him when he joins me in June.   I'm not even sure they require registration of canoes down in Texas but that is his concern, not mine.  I'm more interested in possible issues that could arise for my "group crossing" of the border IF he tries to cross without a registered canoe.  Frankly, I doubt there ARE any if he has the bill of sale, etc.... which he will have.  If anyone knows differently, I welcome your inputs here.

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo, I can help with your question. Canada doesn't care if your canoe is registered anywhere. I don't think they require their own people to register them either. I could be wrong, but I bought used boats there and they never had any stickers. I've been going for years from a state that doesn't see fit to tax canoe owners with licenses. Never had a problem.

Thanks, Jim J!  Was kind of figuring it was that slack but the question became a bit of an itch I wasn't able to completely scratch.   ;)

Jimbo   8-)

you might consider bringing along the bill of sale for that new canoe - just in case you need to prove where and when it was purchased;  probably a non-issue, but an "ounce of prevention"

no, you don't need to have a canoe registered to bring it into Canada

I concur. You do need to comply with the safety requirements if your home jurisdiction - state - while in  Canada, not Canadian, which are generally more restrictive.