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.
Note: These events that rely on the cooperation of frozen lakes and are weather dependent. Many of these 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.
December 2022 Family Ice Fishing Events
Take an ice fishing trip during Christmas vacation without even leaving the Twin Cities:
Ice Fishing with Family and Friends
Time/Date: Tue Dec 27, 2022 & Thurs December 29, 2022 • 12:30-3:30pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 554211
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, lures, tackle and instruction. We like Silverwood because you can warm up by the fireplace in the coffee shop when you get too cold. Purchase hot cocoa and snacks. You will also find bathrooms in the coffee shop. • $50/Family (2-6 people)(Registration Required).
January 2023 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; 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:
Ice Fishing with Family and Friends
Time/Date: Monday, January 2, 2023 • 12:30-3:30pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 554211
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, lures, tackle and instruction. We like Silverwood because you can warm up by the fireplace in the coffee shop when you get too cold. Purchase hot cocoa and snacks. You will also find bathrooms in the coffee shop. • $50/Family (2-6 people)(Registration Required).
Family & Friends Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Sun Jan 8, 2023; 9am-12pm • Sat Jan 14, 2023; 1-4pm • Mon Jan 16, 2023; 1-4pm
Location: Fish Lake Regional Park, 14900 Bass Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and instruction. • $50/Group (2-6 people)(Click dates for registration links.)
Intro to Ice Fishing
Time/Date: January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 20, 26; March 5; All 1-3pm
January 16, 2023; 9-11am.
Location: Bush Lake Beach, 9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Details: Part of Bloomington’s Winter Fete. Participants will learn how to use equipment and find fish and have a chance to practice reeling. Equipment provdied.. • $20/pp. Registration required.
Winter Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Monday, January 16, 2023 • Session 1: 1pm-2pm • Session 2: 2pm-3pm.
Location: Moore Lake Park, 5872 Central Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432
Details: Join an ice fishing class to learn how to use the equipment, find fish in live water and practice reeling in fish. All equipment provided. • $5/pp (Register Here)
Youth Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023 • 9am-11am
Location: Crystal Lake Beach, 1101 Crystal Lake Rd E., Burnsville, MN 55306
Details: Kids ages 6-12 will learn how to get set up, put on bait, and take fish off of the hook and learn about different kinds of fish. Equipment provided. • $40 (Register Here).
Try It: Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Sunday January 22, 2023 • 12-4pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 554211
Details: A Free afternoon of trying ice fishing, learning about ice safety and ice fishing equipment. • FREE (Registration Available; Drop Ins Welcome).
Family & Friends Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Monday, January 29, 2023 • 9am-12pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 554211
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, lures, tackle and instruction. We like Silverwood because you can warm up by the fireplace in the coffee shop when you get too cold. Purchase hot cocoa and snacks. You will also find bathrooms in the coffee shop. • $50/Family (2-6 people)(Registration Required).
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.)
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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