Bemidji Chamber: OK to fish without license if one is purchased when state opens for business

The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce has sent an email to its members and area media that states it has learned people can fish without a license during the government shutdown as long as they purchase a license after the state is back open for business.

The local chamber had communication from its counterpart in the Brainerd area.

Here is the statement issued this afternoon by the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce:

"Ok to Fish!

It is our understanding that if the county boat & water enforcement as well as conservation officers have the need to check a license and the angler is not able to produce one due to the electronic licensing system being shut down, they may document the contact and then follow-up to ensure a license has been purchased after the fact. For those individuals who want to fish and were unable to buy a license and were not checked during the shutdown, the idea is that they will also purchase a license after the fact when the state system is back up and running. Similar to an 'honor system.'"