Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and rivers. Now it's the nation's front runner in fishing fees. For the first time, Minnesota will impose new fees on fishing tournaments, and anglers are angry.

There's nothing Vern Wagner likes better than a day on the water. Wagner fishes bass, and participates in numerous amateur fishing contests. He says he was shocked to learn of a new state fee on fishing tournaments, with no public hearings.

"Not a good idea. I think they owe us an apology, myself, for passing a bill without talking to us," Wagner said.

Starting this week, Minnesota will impose highest in the nation permit fees on tournament organizers. The fees will be between $120 to $1,000 per contest. Those fees will likely be passed on to anglers.

The Department of Natural Resources says it's an attempt to ease fishing pressure and monitor lake activity.

"It's a legitimate activity. We're just trying to regulate the number and types, and then we cover our costs, the costs of administering the program," said Al Stevens of the DNR.

There are about 600 fishing tournaments in Minnesota every year. The DNR says it costs $108,000 a year to process those tournament permits.

Wagner said it will mean fewer tournaments, and fewer economic benefits to small lake country towns that compete to host their contests.

"They're tripping over dollars to pick up pennies. Because if you reduce the number of tournaments, you are reducing what out state Minnesota really needs, more tourism," Wagner said.

The DNR says it may waive the permit fee, if the tournament is sponsored by a charitable organization. But there are questions about just what is a charitable organization.

The fees for a permit are decided by how big the contest is. If there are 50 anglers or less, it's a small tournament, more than 50, it's a big tournament.

There's also a new permit for weighing fish. If the fish are transported it's a big fee. It could now cost up to $1,000 to hold a fishing tournament in Minnesota.

Fish Lake Manitoba Narrows

www.fishlakemanitobanarrows.com