Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is January 13- January 15, 2024 (Saturday through Monday of Martin Luther King weekend)
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 provided. • $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).
Snowtime Saturday
Time/Date: Saturdays Jan 7 – Feb 25, 2023 • Sign up for 1-hour slots between 11am-1pm
Location: Staring Lake Park Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Pkwy, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Details: We like Staring Lake Park, because there are a a variety of outdoor activities to try, including Ice Fishing. When you get cold, you can warm up next to the bonfire. • FREE, but registration required.
Introduction to Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Sundays Jan 8 – March 5, 2023 • 12pm-2pm. Registration Required
Location: Bush Lake Beach, 9140 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Details: Part of Bloomington Winter Fete. Instruction and all equipment will be provided. • $5/pp. Max 15 participants in each session. Registration required.
Take A Kid Ice Fishing Weekend
Time/Date: Sat Jan 14 – Mon Jan 16, 2023 • All Day
Location: Minnesota Lakes
Details: Adults who bring a child 15 or under can fish without a license (kids under 15 never need a license). Find some beginner pointers, tips and safety precautions at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. • FREE
Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023 • Noon – 2:30pm
Location: Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
Details: Learn Ice fishing with all ice fishing gear and bait provided. We like Fort Snelling because there is a playground on the beach so kids can run and play after ice fishing. Also, Minnesota residents do not need a license to fish in State Parks. • FREE, but vehicle permit required $7/day • Pre-Register by Phone 612-279-2561.
February 2023 Family Ice Fishing Events
Youth Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 • 1-3pm
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).
Family & Friends Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023 • 1-4pm
Location: Minnetonka Regional Park, 4610 County Road 44, Minnetrista, MN 55331
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and instruction. • $50/Group (2-6 people)(Registration Required #1REC3130.) This program is for ages 10+.
Ice Fishing
Time/Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023 • Noon – 2:30pm
Location: Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
Details: Learn Ice fishing with all ice fishing gear and bait provided. We like Fort Snelling because there is a playground on the beach so kids can run and play after ice fishing. Also, Minnesota residents do not need a license to fish in State Parks. • FREE, but vehicle permit required $7/day • Pre-Register by Phone 612-279-3561.
Ice Fishing with Family or Friends
Time/Date: Sat Feb 18, 2023; 9am-12pm • Sat Feb 20, 2023; 1-4pm • Sat Feb 25, 2023; 1-4pm
Location: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 55421
Details: Participants will be provided with a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and instruction. • $40/Group (2-6 people). This program is for ages 10+.
Ice Fishing On Your Own
The nice thing about the family ice fishing events listed above is that you’ll have expert ice fishermen on hand to answer questions and instruct your family in ice fishing safety and basics. Most of these events also supply gear, bait bucket and live bait. If you plan to strike out on your own, the Minnesota DNR’s fishing page is a good place to start. While some fish (crappie, catfish, sunfish, perch and bullhead) are legal to catch at any time. If you want gamefish, like walleye, northern pike and bass, you’ll need to check the DNR’s regulations. You will also need a fishing license for any family member that is 16 or older (unless you are fishing at a State Park). You can do this through the DNR’s website as well.
As with any outdoor events during Minnesota winters, dress in layers, including snow pants, warm socks and a change of gloves, for flexible warmth and comfort. Make sure your kids do too. You’ll stay outside longer if everyone is comfortable. (Or don’t. When we have the ability to pack up at any time and pile into a warm car, I will sometimes make sure I dress properly and let my kids dress themselves. This does two things: 1) guarantees they’ll be ready to go before I am, and 2) gives them a hands-on lesson in the importance of dressing properly in winter.) Believe it or not, you can get a sunburn while ice fishing, so pack sunscreen and sunglasses for the glare..
Three Books that Feature Ice Fishing?
Reading is definitely cozier than ice fishing, but maybe one of these books will inspire you to get out and try the real thing.
1. One Frozen Lake by Deborah Jo Larson
Gianna reviewed this book by local author, Deborah Jo Larson, and referred to as “The most beautiful book ever written on one of the most deplorable past-times known to man–ice fishing”. Whether or not you share Gianna’s opinion of ice fishing, she is certain you will love this prose-style book. Read more here.
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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