There's great fishing year-round, and, to be honest, no one season that’s better than the other. But there are also different experiences with each season, and ice fishing is really near and dear to me. I think that ice fishing is a little bit more low-key and not as fast-paced as being in a boat is.  

Fly fishing in Minnesota only lasts from that second weekend in April to somewhere in September so getting out mid-to-late summer can be really great for that dry dropper fly bite when targeting stream trout.

Summer is a great time for bass, walleye, and pike fishing. June through early August is decent for bobber fishing walleye, bass or panfish from weed edges.

All in all, there really isn’t a bad time to hit the water in our state. There’s something for everyone in any month of the year. 

Not only is it challenging, but it can take you out of your head and into the present moment. You have to be watching your bobber, you have to be jigging, you have to be maneuvering the boat, you have to be thinking about what the next move is, and be ready for anything, because you never know when the next fish is coming.

Even with general fishing knowledge, it's always going to be a challenge to finesse an animal into believing that what you're presenting to them is real and not an artificial representation of food. This is always a lot of fun and challenges me to the max, which I think is what always keeps me coming back for more.

Fishing is also the way I connect with loved ones. Hooking into a huge fish, feeling its strength fighting, and losing it — that’s a story we'll tell for years. Catching the biggest fish you’ve ever seen and being able to show a fun picture of it? That’s what we all are trying to do, in our own ways. The entire experience of fishing is something I associate with our state itself. 

Thanks to great organizations like MNFish, more shore fishing spots are being created or fixed up to be more accessible. Many boat accesses offer public docks to fish from and many parks on lakes/rivers will have docks/spaces to shore fish from, along with BBQ grills to make a day out of fishing with the family.

You don’t need a boat to enjoy our waters, but there are also so many great options to try fishing with a guide from their boat or hop on an evening charter on Mille Lacs for a unique bobber fishing opportunity. Finding bridges and fishing around them offer a lot of structure in the water. It gives fish a great place to hide, so bridges can be a great bet when fishing from shore.

If you are totally new to fishing and have never tried it before, there are a couple different ways to go about it. Booking a guide and going out with them is a great way to just kind of learn the ropes.

If you want to go out on your own, a fishing rod and reel, probably 6 pound test line, and a small selection of baits that are geared towards the species that you're targeting. You should be able to get all of that for $150 or less, and be able to start hitting the water, catching bass or sunfish or pike from the shore.

If you were to pay for a day and go out with a guide, they'll provide all of the equipment needed to have your first fishing experience.

Definitely get up to River Bend's Resort on Lake of The Woods in any season, ice or open water, to come home with your possession limit of walleye/sauger. For a great Minnesota experience you can actually bring your fresh catch into the bar and have them cook it up for you same day.

I also think for beginners, trying out barge fishing on a charter can be a great way to fish with a large group of people in a casual setting, while still having the opportunity to catching some nice fish. A lot of people on bigger lakes will choose charters, such as Lake Mille Lacs or Lake of the Woods.

I also recommend checking into local nonprofit organizations in the industry, such as Women Anglers of Minnesota or MNFish, as they can provide a lot of great insight. They hold local tournaments,  education-based seminars, and other things to educate the public about fishing and how to fish while keeping the waters clean and protecting the environment.

I’m a huge advocate for bettering our waters in any way possible. It's vital to release big egg-laying females - the bigger the fish (of any species), the better the brood from them, which means a higher rate of life amongst their fertilized eggs and a higher reproduction rate for the waters.

Beyond that, proper fish handling technique is really important. I don’t recommend keeping the fish out of water for any time beyond what is absolutely necessary, so pull it from the net, snap your shot, and send it home safely. This is especially important in cold temps as the slime coating and water can cause the fish to begin to freeze pretty immediately in sub zero temps.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a huge topic in Minnesota, and prevention is the best method to stopping the spread of them into every body of water we have. Clean, Drain, and Dry is a great way to make sure your boat is all clear of any signs of AIS before leaving or going into another body of water.

You always want to leave the water better than you found it, so picking up trash or line is always a good practice even if it’s not your own. Keep our waters clean and keep our fish happy!

The fact that we have over 10,000 lakes in the state means there are no shortage of opportunities to get out on the water. Anyone fishing in Minnesota can expect a fun experience because we have so many species here that you don’t always know what’s going to bite your bait!

The many riverways and streams in Minnesota offer opportunities for anglers looking to catch Great Lakes steelhead. And people looking to fly fish for rainbow or brown trout can head to the southeastern side of the state.

Panfish like bluegill, sunfish and crappie can be found up shallow in the summertime. Both big and small lakes offer great panfish angling for people who enjoy eating their fish and want to get the kids involved in rapid-action fun!

Further up north towards Lake of the Woods, you can always count on big bags of eater walleye and sauger. It’s a fun outing that can end in a shore lunch, which is, in my opinion, a Minnesota staple. I have gotten really into walleye fishing as of late. There is something so suspenseful about those big fish, and how it really takes skill and knowledge to pursue them with any luck.

For those who love bass fishing, Minnesota really holds its own with incredible smallmouth angling on a number of lakes in the area like Mille Lacs. Largemouth bass are in just about every body of water we have here. You might even get a really strong fight from a northern pike. Rock bass hang around often, along with catfish, burbot and other miscellaneous fish.

In designated waters, you can also find particular species like lake trout or brook trout.