Below you will find stories about outdoor experiences from a diverse group of Minnesotans. You can submit your story here. Engage with our campaign on social media using the hashtag #MyMNOutdoorAdventure.
The love of fishing
My life passion is catching fish, particularly Minnesota's native fish. We have a ton of mysterious and amazing fish right here in Minnesota. Read more.
Introducing new generations to the outdoors
I’ve lived in Minnesota all my life, 57 years. My great-grandparent was born here, my grandparent was born here, my father was born here. Read more.
Finding peace in the outdoors
Getting outdoors, for me, means connecting with creation and that brings a sense of peace and wonderment of all that is. Connecting with the outdoors reminds me that I am an extension of creation, and creation is divine. Read more.
My love of hiking
I was born and raised in Minnesota. Over the past two years, I’ve gotten very into hiking. In 2020, I hiked 92 times and I have a goal to hike 100 trails in 2021. Read more.
The birthday gift: An ice fishing experience
My husband, John, is a native Minnesotan and an avid fisherman, but he had never been ice fishing until this year. I decided this year was the perfect time for our family to help John embrace winter fishing and arranged an ice fishing excursion for his birthday. Read more.
Finding the outdoors
Before moving to Minnesota, being called a “city girl” was a badge of honor that I proudly wore and embraced. My life consisted of work, family, friends, happy hour, church, shopping and traveling. It was a very full and action-based life. Read more.
Biking the Cannon Valley Trail
This is a photo of me at Canon Valley Trail (Canon Falls-Welch-Red Wing) where we enjoyed a round trip bike ride with our family. Read more.
Camping at the lake with friends
We along with five other families ventured to Fall Lake in Ely for a weekend of camping. Read more.
Father and daughter fishing moment
Fishing has always been something I did with my dad, so introducing this to my daughter was important to me. Read more.
Learning to spool line
Meet Alex: he was in our Spartan Angling class at Nashwauk High School. During this class, we teach the art and science of angling and take fishing trips in Northeast Minnesota and distant adventures to larger lakes. Read more.
My favorite days
“If you know where the fish are biting on any given day, I’m the guy to call because I always say, ‘any day I’m on a lake in a boat, that’s my favorite day.’” —John Myles. Read more.
The story of why I fish
I started fishing at the tender age of 10 in Plain Dealing, La., a small rural town 45 minutes north of Shreveport. I learned to fish from my dad, mom, and maternal grandparents on a cane fishing pole. Read more.
Enjoying all seasons
Our family loves the outdoors in Minnesota and embraces all four seasons. Whether it’s snowmobiling or skiing, fishing or tubing at the lake, or just a weekend hike or bike ride. Read more.
Fishing is my escape
When I'm out on the waters trying to find fish, then hook into fish, that melts away all the external noises in my life. Read more.
My world outdoors
I consider myself an avid outdoorsman and I became familiar with the #MyMNOutoorAdventure campaign during the fishing opener. Read more.
My biggest bass
I took this picture was taken during a trip to my cabin with my cousin. We woke up early in the morning to go fishing. Read more.
Fishing with Friends
My daughter was only home from college for one day and was excited to see our neighborhood friends at the campground. Read more.
In the outdoors: Then and now
One of my Mom’s fondest memories of me as a child was when I saw a squirrel in our yard and told her, in Hmong, that squirrel eyes looked like human eyes. Read more.
The enjoyment of hiking and camping
I have lived in Minnesota for nearly my entire life. I grew up hiking and camping with my family, and I am trying to pass the enjoyment for these activities along to my kids — we love to explore new places as a family! Read more.