Minnesota Fishing

Minnesota moms: Join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge

Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend Saturday, May 10, through Sunday, May 11, when Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

To participate in the challenge, moms simply need to join the 2025 Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge Facebook group and submit one photo of each fish they catch on May 10-11. All participants who submit a fish will be entered in a random drawing for prizes provided by the Student Angler Organization and their partners.

To see challenge details, including about two pre-challenge fishing webinars, visit the Take a Mom Fishing webpage. The challenge Facebook group is active starting today!

The 2025 Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge is a collaboration between the Minnesota DNR, Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota. This is the third year the DNR and its partners are hosting the Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge. During the 2024 challenge, more than 3,000 Minnesota moms from across the state participated, catching 1,500 fish.

Photo courtesy of Dave Ruffalo

Get fishing questions answered on DNR fishing webpage

The Minnesota DNR has a fishing webpage to help answer angler questions. The page answers questions like:

• What species can I fish for?
• What kind of bait is legal?
• What kind of fish can I keep?

The page is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish. Users will find links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and 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.

Tyler Winter with a northern hogsucker, photo courtesy of Rachel Winter

Get Out MORE investments in fishing infrastructure, boating access and more

Minnesota DNR is set to invest $150 million into modernizing our state’s outdoor recreation! Among the key investments include enhancements for access to public lands, modernizing boating access, and improving fisheries and fishing infrastructure. Some of our hatcheries haven’t had an update in more than 60 years. Want to learn more? Check out this webinar we hosted to go over projects under construction and on the way through Get Out MORE. You can also find more details on the DNR website about Get Out MORE investments and see what improvements are heading your way.

Health officials update fish consumption guidance in some waters due to PFAS

The Minnesota Department of Health has updated its fish consumption guidance due to per-and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) found in fish from some waterbodies in 10 Minnesota counties. In the Twin Cities metro area, some waterbodies in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties are impacted. In Greater Minnesota, some waterbodies in Douglas, Martin, McLeod and St. Louis counties are impacted.

PFAS are harmful chemicals that have been widely used for decades to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. PFAS may accumulate in a person’s body over time and may become a health concern. They are linked to developmental effects, including low birth weight in infants and a weaker immune system in children. Exposure to some PFAS may also cause changes in liver function and increase cancer risks.

MDH works with the Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to select lakes and rivers to monitor for contaminants. Since 1974, MDH has used data from these monitoring activities to advise anglers on fish consumption when levels of mercury or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be unsafe for human consumption. The Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program added PFAS in 2004.

Minnesota DNR: Safety must be the priority around cold water

Anglers and paddlers have wasted little time getting out on open water across Minnesota. However, with water temperatures still dangerously low, the Minnesota DNR reminds anyone around lakes, rivers, and ponds that cold water is dangerous and unexpected falls quickly can turn tragic.

About 30% of fatal boating accidents each year happen during the cold-water period, and many involve victims who weren’t wearing a life jacket. The most effective way to survive a fall into cold water is to wear a life jacket and make sure it’s buckled or zipped.

As boaters and paddlers take the season’s first trips to the water, they should:

• Wear a foam-filled life jacket. (Inflatable life jackets may not fully inflate when the water is cold.)
• Ensure their watercraft is registered and equipped with proper safety equipment, and that all equipment is functioning properly.
• Distribute weight evenly and abide by manufacturers’ weight limits to reduce the likelihood of falling overboard.
• Have a means of communication and ensure someone knows where they’re going and when they plan to return.
• Watch the weather to avoid shifting winds or storms.

Visit the DNR’s cold water safety page for more information about staying safe on and around cold water. 

Photo courtesy of Shanthi Wilson

Lookback at fishing news topics

• DNR sets Upper Red Lake walleye regulations for open water season
• DNR sets Mille Lacs lake walleye and Mille Lacs Lake perch regulations
• DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures
• Report fish die-offs to help DNR, others respond as needed
• DNR announces opening of new public water access on St. Croix River
• Comment on Lake Superior fisheries rulemaking proposals by May 8.

Fish species profile: logperch

Check out this pile of logperch!

Logperch are a darter species and member of the perch family, Percidae. Walleye and perch are also members of this family. These small fish are Minnesota's second largest darter, reaching up to 5 inches in length.

Logperch eat tiny organisms like mayfly and midge larvae, young snails, and leeches. Larger fish like largemouth bass, burbot, lake trout, northern pike, and walleye love to eat logperch.