Take a Kid Fishing Weekend in Minnesota
Minnesota's free fishing weekends let adults fish without a license when they bring a child along.
Minnesota does not hold a blanket "free fishing day" the way some states do. Instead it sets aside weekends built around taking someone fishing:
- Take a Kid Fishing Weekend in early June: Minnesota residents 16 and older can fish without a license when fishing with a child 15 or younger.
- Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend in January: the same rule, on the ice.
- Take a Mom Fishing Weekend around Mother's Day: Minnesota-resident mothers fish without a license.
Children 15 and younger never need a Minnesota fishing license. All other rules — seasons, limits and special regulations — still apply on free weekends. The exact dates are set each year, so check the Minnesota DNR Take a Kid Fishing page.
Easy lakes for a first trip
Lakes with a fishing pier, so there is no boat to launch.
Lake of the Woods
84 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake of the Woods · Long Point725,583 acres
Rainy Lake
89 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · International Falls210,200 acres
Lake Minnetonka
85 out of 100 Lake ScoreHennepin · Mound14,206 acres
Big Stone Lake
77 out of 100 Lake ScoreBig Stone · Ortonville11,984 acres
Lake Bemidji
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Lavinia (Beltrami)6,596 acres
Lake Byllesby
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreDakota · Cannon Falls1,368 acres
Lake Irving
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji662 acres
Lake Winona
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreWinona · Winona308 acres
Lake Elmo
78 out of 100 Lake ScoreWashington · Lake Elmo257 acres
All fishing pier lakes · Bluegill lakes · How to catch panfish
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids need a fishing license in Minnesota?
No. Anglers 15 and younger do not need a Minnesota fishing license at any time of year.
Does Minnesota have a free fishing day?
Not a general one. Minnesota residents can fish without a license during Take a Kid Fishing Weekend and Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend when they are fishing with a child 15 or younger, and resident mothers can fish free on Take a Mom Fishing Weekend.
Do limits still apply on free fishing weekends?
Yes. Only the license requirement is waived. Seasons, daily limits, size limits and lake-specific regulations all still apply.