Minnesota Fishing

Consider safety during Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend

With Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend coming up Saturday, Jan. 13, through Monday, Jan. 15, the Minnesota DNR is advising anglers to put safety first as you make plans.

Ice is unsafe in much of the state, including in the metro area where there is still open water on some lakes. Other areas especially in northern Minnesota have more ice and some ice fishing opportunities there.

During the three-day weekend Jan. 13-15, any Minnesota resident can go 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.

Also a helpful reminder when taking kids out for outdoor fun: There are other activities that can be part of the plan in addition to fishing. The Minnesota DNR is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks and recreation areas on Jan. 15 during Free Park Day. With this year?s unusual weather, there are many winter park activities that don?t require snow or ice, such as birding, winter hiking, nature photography, and having a campfire with hot chocolate and s?mores.

For general information on fishing and fishing regulations, visit the DNR fishing page.

Ice unsafe on many go-to trout lakes

The fishing season for stream trout in lakes outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness begins Jan. 13. This opener typically features anglers flocking to some metro areas lakes.

Currently, these lakes do not have safe ice, with some still showing open water. Access to some lakes has been closed including?Cenaiko Lake in Anoka County and Quarry Lake in Scott County.

Northern Minnesota may have more opportunities. If you?re looking for a backup lake, check out the DNR?s full trout lake list and map.

Cenaiko Lake in Anoka County is one of many showing open water and unsafe ice. Photo courtesy of Anoka County Parks.

Ice safety guidelines

Ice is variable and people should be very cautious, including in northern Minnesota. Don?t rely on reports alone, check it yourself.

If you are going out on the ice, check the ice and not just for thickness. White and rotten ice can be deceiving. If the ice is white, double the below ice thickness guidelines. In most places, people should wait before taking out ATVs or other vehicles out on the ice. The ice is just not ready yet.

No ice can ever be considered ?safe ice,? but following these guidelines available at mndnr.gov/icesafety can help minimize the risk:

• Always wear a 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, retention ponds and anywhere ice forms.

Keep the ice clean

Ice conditions so far this season have been highly variable and safety has to be anglers? top priority. However, as more anglers venture out, the Minnesota DNR reminds anglers that a new law requires people to secure their trash in a container such as a bucket, garbage bag or trash bin, and makes clear that depositing sewage ? whether from animals or humans ? on the ice is prohibited.?

Most ice anglers clean up after themselves, but some don?t ? and it?s their behavior that was the impetus for this new litter-on-ice law the Minnesota Legislature passed earlier this year. Read more about this law in the DNR news release.

Check out these trout fishing opportunities in streams

Waiting for better ice to get out fishing? Another idea is catch-and-release trout fishing in southeastern Minnesota.

Winter trout fishing is another way to enjoy the outdoors along streams that meander through the scenic bluffs and hills of southeastern Minnesota.

Trout fishing is catch-and-release only from Jan. 1 through Sunday, April 14, at all designated trout streams in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties. There are additional catch-and-release fishing opportunities all winter in Beaver Creek Valley, Forestville and Whitewater state parks, as well as in the city limits of Chatfield, Lanesboro, Preston, Rushford and Spring Valley.

Southeastern Minnesota trout fishing information is available on the Minnesota DNR website and fishing maps are available on the Lanesboro area fisheries webpage.