Discover fishing fun with a child for free June 11-13

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Discover fishing fun with a child for free June 11-13
(Released June 7, 2010)


Celebrate the end of the school year with a potential angler-to-be by fishing for free with a child 15 or younger June 11-13 during Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend.

“This is a great opportunity to discover fishing,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “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.”

Getting started is easy. You don’t need a boat, and the availability of loaner equipment in some areas means you won’t even need a pole or tackle.

Start by visiting www.mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing to learn some terminology, basic techniques and shore-fishing locations. Area and regional DNR fisheries offices throughout Minnesota also gladly will offer some good, old-fashioned angling advice about fishing spots that will keep young anglers happy and safe.

The DNR’s Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program provides urban shore-fishing opportunities across the metro with family-friendly settings, piers, loaner equipment at some locations and a real chance to catch quality fish. Learn more online.

Three of Minnesota’s eight state parks that are offering this summer’s weekly I Can Fish program have sessions scheduled during Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend. At William O’Brien, Interstate and Mille Lacs Kathio state parks rods, reels and bait will be provided so participants can join park naturalists and experienced fishing coaches for an afternoon of fishing. I Can Fish sessions at each park explore the basics of fishing, fish identification and angling tips and tricks.

Thirty of Minnesota’s 66 state parks offer loaner fishing equipment that can be used within the park when visiting. Even when it’s not Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend, Minnesota residents may fish in a state park without a fishing license provided the body of water does not require a trout stamp. Anglers also must fish from shore or wade in water within the state park or from a boat or a float on a designated lake within a Minnesota state park.

“Fishing is one of the easiest and most-accessible outdoor activities in Minnesota,” Kurre said. “Take a kid fishing and, come the end of the trip, you’re both likely to be hooked.”