Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – June 9-11, 2023

Two kids fishing from a dock

Minnesotans 15-years-old or younger and their grown up companion can fish without licenses on Friday, June 9, through Sunday, June 11, 2023, during the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’s “Take a Kid Fishing Weekend”

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend

You don’t even need to own fishing gear, because it is available for loan from Minnesota State Parks. We have borrowed fishing gear at William O’Brien State Park. It was very easy to do and a park ranger stopped by to give the girls pointers. Note that if you can’t make it to any of the Take a Kid Fishing Days, Minnesota residents generally can fish in state parks without a fishing license, unless the body of water requires a trout stamp.

Free Fishing Events in the Twin Cities

Take a Kid Fishing

Thompson County Park, 360 Butler Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118

Dakota County invites families to try fishing with hands-on fishing stations, where beginners can practice tying knots, casting, baiting a hook. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow park gear. All Ages. Free Event. Onsite Registration.

Print a Fish Poster To Remember Take A Kid Fishing Weekend

Print a Fish Poster from Explore Minnesota for Take A Kid Fishing Weekend
Get the Full Size Printable version at Explore Minnesota

If you are interested in learning more about the fish that live in Minnesota lakes and rivers, Explore Minnesota has a PDF poster of Minnesota Fish that you can print and take with you to compare to any fish you encounter. (Or pick one up for free the next time you are at the State Fair.)

Fishing in Minnesota State Parks - I Can Fish Program at Fort Snelling State Park
Naturalists Kao Thao and Krista Jensen - I Can Fish (Image courtesy Minnesota DNR)

DNR Tips To Take a Kid Fishing and Some Colorful Personal Commentary:

  1. Plan to have fun and remember to bring a camera. This seems like a no-brainer to me, but as a kid, I’ve gone fishing with adults who took it very seriously. This is not your fishing day. This is the day to help you secure fishing buddy when your children are older.
  2. Choose fishing spots with a high likelihood of success. (Learn where, when, and how the fish bite). Several years ago, we had amazingly good luck off the pier at Roseville’s Central Park. Every time my daughter dropped her Pink Princess fishing pole into the water, she brought up a Sunny. I don’t know if that is normal, but that is where I would personally start.
  3. Use live bait to increase the chance of catching a fish. (Live bait is more interesting to kids, too.) I’m not sure if I agree with the part in parenthesis. My kids don’t particularly like handling worms and neither do I. If you are going to deal with live bait (and plan to keep your fish for that matter), bring someone who is not squeamish.
  4. Pick a place that is comfortable, safe, and easy to get to—public fishing piers are a great place to start. (Find a fishing pier (←PDF). If its windy, public fishing piers can be a little nerve wracking with preschoolers and toddlers. You may want to put them in life-jackets.
  5. Bring snacks! That’s just good general parenting advice. Always bring snacks.
  6. Remember the basics: sunscreen, insect repellent, and a first aid kit. Again, I’d add life-jackets, diapers & wipes, a change of clothes and towels.
  7. Provide kids with simple tackle and fishing rod in working order. If you already enjoy fishing, you can probably dig through your own stash. Otherwise, see the part about State Parks offering this stuff for free.
  8. Start with realistic expectations. With short attention spans, kids may want to move onto something else after a very short time. Choose a park with a playground or a beach. Bring a non-fishing adult who doesn’t mind taking them if you want to continue fishing for a bit
  9. Have patience! I think they are talking about fishing, but this is also just good advice for parenting.
fishing from the dock
Boy with Rod & Reel fishing from a Dock

When is Fishing Season in Minnesota?

Pretty much always for something, but the big Fishing Opener usually coincides with Mother’s Day Weekend. Click here to see the DNR’s overview of fishing seasons.

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10 thoughts on “Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – June 9-11, 2023”

  1. Enlightening and Interesting data.

    It is useful for each on.

    A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing, Keep it up composing!

    1. Thank you Immanuel! Enlightening and interesting was exactly what we were going for! But you owe us no debt of gratitude, we composed this for the sheer joy of talking about fishing – everyone’s favorite topic. Hope you have a chance to get out an fish with a kid next June.

  2. I agree from my own experience that taking a kid fishing is one of the best things anybody can do and it brings me back to my own childhood. Thanks a lot

  3. Lolita at fishing guy

    My six year old boy likes to catch fish.But I can not always fulfill his hopes of being his mother.Because I’m always busy in office work.But I will take him on fishing on the next holiday.Thanks for sharing this blog.

    1. I’m in the same boat, Lolita. The good news is that Minnesota residents don’t need a license to fish in State Parks and they’ll even provide the equipment. Don’t wait until next June to take your son fishing, just pop over to one of our metro area state parks.

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