Fish safely

A paddler in the bow of a canoe lands a northern pike on the Mississippi River.Don't forget safety – and your life jacket – when fishing. Two good places to start are:

A lot of fishing is done from boats, canoes and kayaks here in Minnesota, which has more than 800,000 craft registered to ride its waters.

Just how important is a life jacket? The two largest contributing factors to boating fatalities are not wearing a life jacket and operator inattention. And the most common causes of boating accidents are falling overboard and capsizing.

With that in mind, we've compiled several tips to remember when you're on the water with family and friends trying to land that lunker.

Must children wear life jackets?

Children younger than age 10 must wear a life jacket while boating unless:

  1. They are in an enclosed cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft.
  2. They are on an anchored boat that is a platform for swimming or diving.
  3. They are aboard a charter (passenger) craft with a licensed captain.

Learn how to select a proper life jacket.

Who must obtain a boating safety certificate?

In Minnesota, youth who operate a boat must complete a safety training course if they are of a certain age and operating a motor of a certain size. Visit our safety section to learn more about these requirements and to enroll in a class.

Paddling safely on a canoe or kayak fishing trip

Fishing from a canoe or kayak can be a lot of fun. It's fun because you sit close to the water and you can silently ease into prime fishing locations. Always wear a life jacket and use these tips to paddle safely.

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