State Trust land is viewed as a revenue source by the "folks in charge", and you are expected to pay some kind of fee in order to use it. The money is supposed to go to fund schools and education, but who knows if that really happens. At any event, if you are on state land without a permit, you can be cited and/or subject to who knows what indignities. It is true that state land is rarely patrolled, but if you are like me, the last thing you want is some hassle with authorities, no matter how low the probability.
A recreational permit is fairly inexpensive -- $15 for an individual permit and $20 for a "family" permit (which allows two adults plus children). The permit can be obtained online (you pay online, and receive a permit that you print yourself). You have to take some care to continue past the payment confirmation and then view and print your permit. Also there is a $1 "convenience fee", so when I purchased my family permit the actual cost was $21 -- just to add insult to injury. The permit is valid for one year from the date of purchase.Tom's backpacking pages / [email protected]