People of all ages can enjoy fishing, and Minnesota state parks offer some terrific places to drop a bobber!
Things to know
Beginners can learn to fish at an I Can Fish! program, available seasonally in many state parks. All equipment and bait are provided.
Many Minnesota state parks can loan you free fishing gear to use in the park.
Minnesota residents can fish for free without a fishing license in most Minnesota state parks, including ice fishing.
Learn about Minnesota fishing regulations, fish species, fishing tips and more at the DNR's online fishing portal.
MinnAqua has great resources for parents and teachers to introduce young people to fishing.
Popular state parks for fishing
Try one of these popular locations, search for fishing piers and shore fishing sites, or use the Minnesota LakeFinder.
Abundant walleye, bass, crappies and trout.
Panfish, walleye and northern pike, plus an accessible fish cleaning house.
There is great fishing in this state park just minutes from the metro area.
Catch some catfish in the rich waters of the Red River.
Catch walleye, sauger, bass, perch and muskie in Lake of the Woods.
Clear streams with brown and brook trout.
Bass, northern pike and walleye make their home in Mille Lacs Lake.
Large sunfish and crappies for the frying pan, and bass for the camera.
This park has eight major lakes and numerous ponds, all with good fishing.
An angler's paradise with brown, brook, and rainbow trout.