Minnesota Fishing

Take a kid ice fishing!

It’s Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend this Saturday, Jan. 18, through Monday, Jan. 20! During the three-day weekend, any Minnesota resident can go ice fishing for free if fishing with a child 15 years old or younger. Minnesotans 15 years old or younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year.

If you’re new to ice fishing and want to give it a try, we have helpful information on our website to get you started. Check the DNR learn to ice fish page for more information about ice fishing, including a recorded webinar with tips and techniques anglers can use to have fun catching sunfish, crappie and perch.

Ice conditions vary and there is no such thing as 100% safe ice. Always check local ice conditions before heading out to a lake or river. Visit the DNR ice safety page for ice safety guidelines.

The Minnesota DNR is also waiving vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Jan. 20 during Free Park Day, so it’s the perfect time to mix in some other winter activities whether it be birding, winter hiking, nature photography, or and having a campfire with hot chocolate and s’mores.

“Jed had a fantastic first time ice fishing! With dad’s help he was able to land a 31 1/2 inch northern pike!” photo courtesy of Zack Smith

Check the DNR fishing webpage

The Minnesota DNR has a fishing page to help answer angler questions. The page links to LakeFinder, which provides maps, special regulation information for individual lakes, other detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

The page includes links to the Minnesota fishing regulations in English and translated versions in Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish.

Trout in lakes season dates

Getting ready to go fishing for trout in lakes? Here are the 2025 winter season dates:

• Jan. 18 to March 31 for lakes outside or partly outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
• Jan. 1 to March 31 for lakes entirely within the BWCAW.

Check the DNR TroutFinder for a list of Minnesota trout lakes. Fishing regulations are available on the DNR fishing page. 

“Caught a 22-inch rainbow trout while jigging for crappies” photo courtesy of Melissa Wagner

Webinars on tip-up fishing, and others on winter fishing

Ice fishing on your mind? Even when you’re not out there, it’s a great time to boost your ice fishing skills!

We have a webinar coming up at noon Wednesday, Jan. 15, all about fishing with tip-ups. Tip-up fishing involves a device that holds the bait at a set depth and then flags when a fish takes the bait. Scott Mackenthun, DNR area fisheries supervisor in Hutchinson, will talk about what species can be caught, where to set up, what type of bait is used, new regulations to be aware of, and tips to improve your catch rate. Ice safety information will also be covered. 

The tip-up fishing webinar will be recorded and posted on our webinar archive page, where you can also find several other recorded webinars about ice fishing and spearing. Check out the list below:

• Ice fishing for panfish
• Winter sturgeon fishing
• Research and winter tips for northern pike
• Ice fishing for trout
• Darkhouse spearing

Register for upcoming webinars and find the webinar archive on the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webpage.

Ice safety guidelines

People should be cautious on the ice. Don’t rely on reports alone — always check the ice.

If people are going out on the ice, check the ice and not just for thickness. White ice can be deceiving. If the ice is white, double the ice thickness guidelines.

No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk:

• Always wear a foam life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
• Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
• Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
• Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
• Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
• Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
• Parents and guardians should talk with their children about staying away from the ice unless there’s adult supervision. This includes lakes and rivers, as well as neighborhood ponds, wetlands and anywhere ice forms.

Keep the ice clean

While you’re out enjoying your time ice fishing with family and friends, remember to take care of the health of our lakes for yourself and other Minnesotans.

• Plan to include in your gear sturdy, shatter- and rip-proof containers for trash and human waste.
• Contain your trash and human waste off the ice in a vehicle, trailer, bed of a truck or your shelter or wheelhouse.
• Tie it up. Secure trash and human waste containers to your shelter, sled, snowmobile, ATV or other vehicle so you don’t get tied up with a $100 littering fine.
• Pick it up. If you bring it on, bring it off. If your pets bring it on, bring it off.
• Pump it, please don’t dump it. Human waste has been an increasing problem in recent years with some owners of wheelhouses dumping their septic tanks on the ice before heading for shore.

Crappie record broken

The black crappie state record was broken!

Axel Angelow of Faribault caught this 18-inch, 3-pound and 13-ounce black crappie out of Cedar Lake in Rice County, in late October.

This fish broke the previous certified weight state record by four ounces.

Congratulations to Axel on a memory well-made!

Learn more about Minnesota’s state record fish program.