Fishing with children is fun, rewarding and builds lasting memories. MinnAqua staff have put together a few tips and assembled several resources to assist you on a weekend expedition with an enthusiastic young angler.

June 7-9, 2013 Fish for free during Take-A-Kid Fishing Weekend: Minnesotans 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing don't need a license that weekend, and opportunities for inexperienced, beginning anglers abound throughout Minnesota. Catch some quality, family time and plan a special fishing day or weekend. There are a variety of organized fishing opportunities throughout the state during Take a Kid Fishing Weekend.

Events
06/07/13 Fort Ridgely State Park What lives in the river: Fish 06/07/13 Mille Lacs Kathio State Park I Can Fish! Fishing Fridays 06/07/13 Fort Snelling State Park I Can Fish! Fishing Fridays 06/07/13 Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Interpretive Center I Can Fish! 06/08/13 Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park I Can Fish! 06/08/13 Whitewater State Park 14th Annual Take A Kid Trout Fishing Day 06/08/13 William O'Brien State Park Fly Fishing Workshop 06/08/13 Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis, MN Fish at Powderhorn Park 06/09/13 Whitewater State Park I Can Fish: Trout Fishing 06/09/13 Afton State Park Fly Fishing Practice Days ? Becoming an Outdoors Woman 06/09/13 Wild River State Park Fly Fishing Workshop
Find more events.

Where to go

Lake Finder » (Data for more than 4,500 lakes and rivers throughout Minnesota)
Fishing Piers » ( 2 pages | 1.6 MB: Statewide map to find a nearby fishing pier)
Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN:) » (A Twin Cities metro fishing program)
Minnesota State Parks » (Some of our favorite parks for awesome fishing opportunities)

Know The Rules

Set a good example, know the fishing rules and regulations before you start:

Minnesota Fishing Regulations »

Lesson 4:1 - Fishing Regulations and Sportsmanship »  

(24 pages | 1.6 MB): There is an outdoor ethic, and there's no one better than you to teach kids the right thing to do.

Know The Fish

How can you catch a bluegill if you don't know what one looks like, where it lives, what it likes to do and what it eats?

Fishes of Minnesota »

Information and insight about the fish of Minnesota

Lesson 2:5 - Diving Into Diversity  

(23 pages | 2.4 MB): There's more than fish under the water. Learn about the aquatic ecosystems and the importance of clean water to the well-being of everyone and everything.

On-Your-Own Activities

Don't just fish. Take some time to plan, prepare and learn.

• Lesson 5:3 - Pop Can Casting 


• Lesson 6:1 - Safety and Fishing at the Water's Edge  


• Lesson 6:3 - Planning a Fishing Trip 


• I Can Fish: free hands-on workshops offered at Minnesota state parks this summer


• Equipment tips: from the MinnAqua newsletter


• Loaner equipment: The FiN program has partnered with DNR Parks, Washington County Parks, Dakota County Parks, Minneapolis Parks and the City of Inver Grove Heights to start a tackle loaner program.


• FiN Kids: online activities to learn about fish and fishing