Celebrate Mother's Day With Free Fishing In Minnesota

Have you been wanting to learn how to fish but don't know where to begin? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some upcoming events that might be right up your alley!

TAKE A MOM FISHING WEEKEND

First is Take a Mom Fishing Weekend on May 9th and 10th (Mother's Day Weekend). During that weekend, all Minnesota moms can fish for free without a license. In addition, the DNR is hosting its 'Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge,' where moms can submit a photo of each fish caught to the DNR's Facebook page.

Prizes include (100) $20 Scheels gift cards, (10) $50 Lund gift certificates, a fishing rod from Sparkle Stick and (2) life jackets from Onyx Outdoors.

Pre-challenge webinars are being offered prior to the moms event as well. The first is slated for Tuesday, May 6th (Trout Fishing 101) and the second on May 8th (Shore and Lake Fishing 101).

TAKE A KID FISHING WEEKEND

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is slated to run from June 5-7, 2026. Minnesota residents 16 and over may fish without a license if they are with a child younger than 16 years old.

The DNR says spring is the best season to catch fish in Minnesota. Why? Because they are hungry! They say sunfish and crappies are great species to seek as the ice melts off of the lakes.

FISHING FOR FREE IN MINNESOTA STATE PARKS

Did you know that fishing is free in several Minnesota state parks? As long as the body of water does not require a trout stamp, you are good to go! Fishing from shore (or wading in water) on state-owned land -or- fishing on ice/in a boat on a lake that is completely encompassed within a state park is allowed.

This is only true for Minnesota state parks, not for Minnesota state recreation areas or for city, county, regional or national parks -- all of these require Minnesota residents to have a fishing license.

You will still need a vehicle permit to enter a Minnesota state park and all park rules must be followed as usual.