Ice fishing can be a fun winter activity for the whole family. Discover some family-friendly events and tips to make your next family ice fishing trip a success!
What better defines Minnesota in January and February than ice? After all, we are the Land of 10,000 [Frozen] Lakes! Make this the coolest winter yet, by taking your kids on a family ice fishing adventure during the winter months at one of these kid-friendly events. Rather curl up with a good book? We have some ideas for seasonally appropriate family reading, too.
Winter 2025-2026 Family Ice Fishing Events
Spend a beautiful day of Minnesota ice fishing without the commitment. You don’t need to take an ice fishing vacation in Northern Minnesota;Â there is no need to buy or rent an ice fishing house; ice fishing equipment is provided and no experience is necessary at these events.
Notes: These events rely on the cooperation of frozen lakes and are weather-dependent. Many ice fishing programs and events are for ages 10+, if you want to take younger children ice fishing, the DNR’s “Take A Kid Ice Fishing Weekend” is for kids of all ages.
Family & Friends Ice Fishing
Date: 12/26/2025 - 12/28/2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Road E, St. Anthony, MN, 55421Ice fish with a group of up to 6 people. Each group will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and receive instruction about safety, ice fishing techniques and setup before setting out to try Ice Fishing. $50/group; reservations required online or by phone 763-559-6700. Ages 10+.
Register for 0ne of two sessions:
- December 26, 2025; 1-4pm
- December 28, 2025; 1-4pm
Family & Friends Ice Fishing
Date: 01/01/2026 - 02/28/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: West Bush Lake Park, 9401 W Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN, 55438Ice Fish with a group of up to 6 people. Each group will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and receive instruction about safety, ice fishing techniques and setup before setting out to try Ice Fishing. $50/group; reservations required online or by phone 763-559-6700. Ages 10+.
Register for One of Four Sessions:
- January 1, 2026; Noon-3pm
- January 4, 2026; Noon-3pm
- January 10, 2026; 9am-Noon
- February 28, 2026; 1-4pm
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Date: 01/17/2026 - 01/19/2026 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Location: ,Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is January 17- January 19, 2026 (Saturday through Monday of Martin Luther King weekend). During this weekend, adults can fish without a license if accompanied by a child age 15 or under. (See Minn. Stat. Sec. 97A.445, subd. 4. – kids under 16 can fish without a license all the time).
Dodge Ice Fishing Day
Date: 01/17/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Rogers Lake Park, 1000 Wagon Wheel Trail, Mendota Heights, MN, 55118The lakes may be frozen, but the fish are still moving! Join Naturalist Andy Vang for an ice fishing adventure on Rogers Lake. Bundle up, drop a line, and see what’s biting. We’ll provide the ice fishing poles and have holes pre-drilled and ready for you when you arrive. FREE. All Ages. Drop In.
Phalen Family Ice Fishing (FREE)
Date: 01/17/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Phalen Regional Park, 1600 Phalen Drive, Saint Paul, MN , 55106Drop in to Phalen Regional Park’s beach to try ice fishing and enjoy a bonfire, hot chocolate, crafts, and games. From 2-3pm, kids can participate in a youth fishing tournament with prizes. Dress for the weather on ice and bring your own fishing equipment if you have it. All ages are invited to drop in, no admission or registration required. Meet at the Phalen Beach House, 1400 Phalen Drive.
Robbinsdale Free Family Ice Fishing
Date: 01/19/2026 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Crystal Lake, 4237 Shoreline Dr, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422Spend some time on MLK Day enjoying the classic Minnesota winter sport of ice fishing – for free! Heated fish houses onsite when you need to warm up. Register for your free spot, then meet at the Crystal Lake Boat Launch.
Introduction to Ice Fishing
Date: 01/25/2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Bloomington Winter Fete, Multiple locations, Bloomington, MN, 55431Part of Bloomington Winter Fete, families can register for a two-hour session where they will learn how to use ice-fishing equipment, understand and find where the fish live in winter, and practice fishing on frozen Bush Lake. All equipment provided and no fishing license required for this program. $12.50/pp. Registration Required. Ages 8+. Â
Sessions:
- January 25, 2026 – 10am or 1pm.
- February 8, 2026- 10am or 1pm.
- February 22, 2026 – 10am or 1pm.
Eagan Frosty Festival & Fishing (FREE)
Date: 01/31/2026 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Blackhawk Park, 1629 Murphy Parkway, Eagan, MN, 55122All kinds of frosty winter fun to be had here: try ice fishing, play hungry hippos on the ice, build a snowman in the Snow Sculpture Zone and warm up by a bonfire with smores and hot cocoa. Equipment and bait provided for the free ice fishing while supplies. As always, available activities will be weather-dependent. Call the weather hotline at 651-675-5511 for program updates.
Wargo Nature Center Snow Day (FREE)
Date: 01/31/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN, 55038Try out a variety of winter outdoor activities at Wargo Nature Center such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, kick sledding and cross-country skiing. All equipment is provided – free!Â
Hastings Ice Fishing (FREE)
Date: 02/07/2026 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Lake Rebecca Park, 415 Lock & Dam Road, Hastings, MN, 55033Interested in dabbling in the ultra-Minnesotan sport of ice fishing? Hastings Park & Rec gives you the chance to learn the ropes for FREE – all equipment, bait and instruction provided. All you need to do is register for your family’s spot, bundle up and hit Lake Rebecca Park. Two chances to sign up during the winter. Plus drawings for ice fishing gear and gift cards. No license required! See link for registration – waitlists available.
MEET 1350 Lock and Dam Rd, Hastings
Ice Fishing On Your Own
2. Ice Fishing by Laura Purdie Salas
Another local author who has written about Ice Fishing is Laura Purdie Salas. This is a non-fiction book that could fill out your ice fishing collection, nicely. Read more about the author here.
3. Kitchen Science Lab by Liz Heinecke
This book by one of our favorite local science authors, features a fun experiment kids can try while Ice Fishing – Lifting an Ice Cube Using Salt and a String. This experiment requires ice cubes, sprinkle salt and a piece of string. (You can do this in the comfort of your kitchen with a bowl of water and a cube from your freezer, too.)
A Safety Note from the DNR: We’ll end with a reminder that the Minnesota DNR warns us that ice is never 100% safe. Learn More abut ice safety here and learn more about Take a Kid Ice Fishing weekend here.
Related Articles:
- Fishing the Twin Cities: 10 Best Fishing Holes in the Twin Cities
- Take a Kid Fishing Weekend
- Twin Cities Winter Family Festival Calendar
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