Portables being registered (if above a certain size)

[Bean]

I read on quintefishing about portables (those bigger than 21.5 square feet when set up) will need to now be registered in Ontario. Since I have an Otter small den that has a "footprint" of 26.833 square feet, I figured I better call and verify. Sure enough, they're requiring it now. I called a toll free 800 number (1-800-667-1940) and told them I'll be icefishing in the quinte area. They forwarded me to the Peterborough office (705-755-2001) and I talked to a girl named Shannon there. She asked me for my name, address, phone #, date of birth, and driver's license number.  I was given a 6 digit number.  The numbers and letters must be bigger than 2.5" tall. This has to be displayed on the outside of your portable. This is free of charge, except you have to call them.  I asked how long the numbers would be good for, and she initially said forever, but then said to check back next year just to make sure nothing has changed. So, I guess anybody(residents and non-residents) will need to do this.

To figure out the square footage of your portable, find out the set up size. (Length x width) divided by 144 = sq.ft.
Heres 2 examples: 
Fish Trap Scout: 75" long x 30" wide = 2250 sq.inches   divide that by 144 to get 15.625 sq. ft.  (so that one doesn't need to be registered)
Fish Trap Pro: 78" long x 43" wide = 3354 sq. in. which equals 23.29 sq. ft. (so it needs to be registered)

[csklaus44]

This has to be done to fish with your portable for one day?  I am planning a trip up soon and bringing my portable.  Do I need to call?

[Bean]

I would if I were you, just so you don't have a CO give you a hard time if they do check you. Hopefully it will be a once and done thing so if you go back next year, you'll already have it.

[Jeff_C]

If you get the voice menu, leave a message and she will call you back.  I received a call back within a couple of minutes.

[bucketmouth]

Couple guys I know have contacted the MNR and the answer they get is they only need to be registered if left overnight and unattended.

Let us know if you find out anything to the contrary.

D.

[Sluggo]

I would go ahead and register it. It is free to do so.

I can assure you that I know one CO who will have their measuring tape out in my area.......

[who me lost?]

Past practise in this neck of the woods...you could use the same number on multiple huts, so can i use the same number as I have been using for the last 20 years on my hardsides?
At least Dalton hasn't caught wind of this, we would have another user fee, no doubt!

[Jeff_C]

The CO that I talked to agreed with the "over night only" theory, however he did say that technically it probably should be registered.  He said to find out for sure, to contact his supervisor and he would give you a definite answer.  So I called the supervisor and the supervisor said that it needed to be registered no matter if you take it home with you each time you leave the ice.  Either way, if you register than you won't have a problem.

[Woodsman]

The worst part of the rule as written is the registration # is only good for the Fisheries Management Zone that you register it in through the local MNR office. If you fish in different zones you required to register it with each local MNR office. Not sure if they will register it with the same #. This change to the regulations was not thought out at all.

[bucketmouth]

Well I won't be affixing any lettering to my FT Pro.  I know my call numbers off my hardside, if a CO is gonna want digits, I'll recite those to him... Woodsman has a great point... they're not gonna want to field thousands of additional calls of folks wanting new numbers for each region they travel to.

Why are there so many gray areas in the new regs?  They had 3 years to get stuff figured out, no? 


Don

[Bean]

The worst part of the rule as written is the registration # is only good for the Fisheries Management Zone that you register it in through the local MNR office. If you fish in different zones you required to register it with each local MNR office. Not sure if they will register it with the same #. This change to the regulations was not thought out at all.

I was told the opposite by Shannon in the Peterborough office. She said it would be good throughout Ontario. But I'll probably only ever icefish around the quinte area anyway.

[Woodsman]

I was told the opposite by Shannon in the Peterborough office. She said it would be good throughout Ontario.

Her interpretation. Maybe even her offices policy. No guarantee all officers or MNR offices will see it the same way. Call first.

[mcwoody]

Her interpretation. Maybe even her offices policy. No guarantee all officers or MNR offices will see it the same way. Call first.

bingo!  that's it woodsman, it's all interpretation of the language.  better to register and avoid needless hassle.

[csklaus44]

I am coming up from buffalo ny.  What do I need to do to be legit?  Who do I call and what do I ask for?  Any info?

[Bean]

I am coming up from buffalo ny.  What do I need to do to be legit?  Who do I call and what do I ask for?  Any info?

Read the first post. All the info is there. Tell them you want to register your portable iceshanty.

[Higgsy]

I got a warning about registration #'s on my portable hut. I was in Long Point bay returning to my pickup after a day on the ice. My 2 kids which were riding inside the hut at the time because of the bitter cold wind that day and I was stopped by the long arm of the law. I had no idea a portable hut needed to be registered. He checked the inside of the hut and wanted to see our fish and also gave me another warning for not having helmets.

[acer7]

i say screw it just fish. If your portable is 26  square feet what do you think they are going to measure it. the mnr is to lazy to do that, they won't even care if it is that closes. 

[wallyboss]

I am sure that they will measure might be the only way they can put gas in there vehicles this year.  If they go on a lake they will have a Quota of fines to meet, just for pay for gas used!!!

[Sluggo]

I am sure that they will measure might be the only way they can put gas in there vehicles this year.  If they go on a lake they will have a Quota of fines to meet, just for pay for gas used!!!

Sad as it is, I have to agree 100% with you wallyboss.

[who me lost?]

Spoke to the MNR CO enforcement guy today mid CIFC,  he said it was not a concern unless they were being left out overnight, but not likely anyone would do that anyways.

[wallyboss]

That seems to be the problem!!! Every CO has his way of interpreting the regs. One says you need it, one says you don't, one says you have to call everytime you change lake, one says soemthing else. It would be a lot easier to follow the regulations if they were clear.  I have a number for  mine now plus I have a printed response from the MNR that I don't need one.  So either way I am covered.

[getnjiggywithit]

Ive been stopped twice this year by CO's and there wasn't any mention of registering my hut...   A permanent shack is one thing but a portable...  I doubt anyone is stupid enough to leave an expensive portable on the ice overnight!  The thought of having to call the MNR everytime you want to change locations is ridicules!  What would the MNR do if they got a few thousand calls per day from people wanting to change locations

[mcwoody]

i was out on simcoe week before last and had a CO come by to check me for my license.  i was in my FT Guide.  neither one of us said a word about registration of portables.

[monty1963]

i registered mine was easy,  no hassle at all. 1 number for life  dont have to register again if decide to put out hut overnight (not portable one). use same number.