June 4, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*June 4, 2025*




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* June is Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday

During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8), Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Casting a line is one way among many to enjoy Great Outdoors Month, in June.

“Taking kids fishing is super fun,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Try a nearby lake and cast out from shore or a pier with a hook, bait and bobber. Those kids will be all smiles when they catch fish.”

Youth 15 and younger do not require fishing licenses at any time of the year, though they must observe all fishing seasons and other regulations. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend allows adult Minnesotans to fish without a license as long as they take a child fishing with them. Minnesota residents also may generally fish in state parks without a fishing license if the body of water does not require a trout stamp.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is one among many outdoor opportunities available to Minnesotans during Great Outdoors Month, a time when Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota DNR encourage Minnesotans to get out in nature and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities, including fishing, riding all-terrain vehicles on state ATV trails, and visiting state parks and recreation areas to hike, bike, camp, swim, paddle or go birding. The proclamation of June being Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota cites the health and wellness benefits of spending time outdoors as one of the many reasons to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors.

The Minnesota DNR’s take a kid fishing webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing) has a variety of online resources available for anyone interested in taking a kid fishing, including information and recorded webinars on how to fish, accessible piers and shore fishing locations, buying a fishing license, and what to do with live bait when done fishing.

Anglers interested in sharing their fishing photos can do so by uploading them using the Minnesota DNR photo uploader [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing/photos.html). The Minnesota DNR uses many of these photos in social media, email newsletters, webpages and other communications.

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June is Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota

During June, the DNR is offering special programs and incentives to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors. For example, the DNR will host a Free Park Day on Saturday, June 14, which allows free entrance to all state parks and recreation areas in Minnesota. There’s a state park or recreation area within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. The entrance fee waiver for Free Park Day does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping or watercraft rentals. Details are on the Free Park Day webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/freeparkdays).

“Outdoor recreation is central to Minnesota’s quality of life,” said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “Through the Get Out MORE initiative, we’re modernizing and expanding access to our outdoor spaces—so all Minnesotans can enjoy the benefits of nature, no matter how they choose to get outside.”

In addition to offering popular activities such as hiking, biking, camping, swimming, paddling and birding, a variety of state park interpretive programs are open to all visitors. Most interpretive programs are free, but some require pre-registration. Find state park programs online at the state parks and trails events calendar [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar).

The annual Take a Kid Fishing weekend will be celebrated June 6-8. Minnesotans 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing don't need a fishing license, making this another great way to spend time outside during Great Outdoors Month. More information is available on the Take a Kid Fishing webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing).

June 14-15 is a no-registration riding weekend on motorized state and Grant-in-Aid trails. This weekend allows Minnesotans with an all-terrain vehicle registered for private or agricultural use to ride public trails without paying the registration fee. Find ATV trails on the trail locations map [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ohv/map.html).

Spending time outdoors during a Minnesota summer often means enjoying our many lakes and rivers—boating, paddling, swimming, and fishing are all part of the experience. To make the most of your time on the water, always make safety a priority. Don’t just bring a life jacket—wear it. Simple precautions like this can save lives and help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable outing. Learn more about life jacket types and regulations on the DNR boat and water safety [ [link removed] ] webpage (mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater).

Those who want to get outdoors but don’t know how can learn skills for a future outdoor activity through the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series. Several courses are offered in June, and there’s no cost to register. Find webinar descriptions and register on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover).

*More ways to enjoy the great outdoors:*


* *Go fishing* – Go or try fishing for the first time. The Minnesota DNR has a fishing webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/fishing) with a variety of helpful information for anyone who wants to go fishing. There’s also a learn to fish page [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/gofishing) with helpful guides on places to fish and how to catch a variety of species.
* *Get on the water in a boat, canoe or kayak* – Minnesota’s lakes and rivers offer endless opportunities for boating and paddling. Starting July 1, 2025, a new law aimed at improving boating safety will take effect. It will require more individuals to complete boater education before operating a motorboat or personal watercraft in Minnesota. For full details about who needs to obtain an operator’s permit, visit the new boater education law webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/boater-education-law.html).
* *Visit a wildlife management area, scientific and natural area, or state forest* – Explore Minnesota’s diverse landscapes. Learn more about these public lands and how to responsibly enjoy wildlife management areas [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/wmas), scientific and natural areas [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/snas), and state forests [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_forests).
* *Join a naturalist program* – Take part in one of over 200 naturalist-led events happening in state parks throughout June. Most programs are free and offer hands-on experiences for all ages. Find upcoming events at mndnr.gov/state_parks/events.html [ [link removed] ].
* *Check out a library pass* – Can’t make it to a park on Free Park Day? No problem. Check out a pass at a participating public library and visit a state park on your own schedule. Get details at mndnr.gov/state_parks/minnesota-state-parks-library-program.html [ [link removed] ].
* *Take a state park tour* – Reserve a spot on a guided tour at one of three Minnesota state parks. These tours require a small fee and offer memorable, affordable ways to explore nature with an expert. See availability and make reservations at mndnr.gov/state_parks/tours.html [ [link removed] ].
* *Try an I Can! Program* – New to outdoor adventures? The I Can! series offers beginner-friendly programs in camping, paddling, rock climbing, and more—all led by experienced instructors. Learn how to get started at mndnr.gov/state_parks/ican [ [link removed] ].
* *Browse the summer activities guide* – Discover even more ways to enjoy the outdoors with the DNR’s online summer activities guide. It’s packed with ideas for all interests and skill levels. Explore the guide at mndnr.gov/state_parks/starter_kit [ [link removed] ].

Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed June 2025 as Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota, encouraging Minnesotans to explore the state’s natural treasures and take part in the wide array of outdoor activities available across public lands and waters. The proclamation highlights the vital role outdoor recreation plays in the state’s identity, economy, and quality of life, and celebrates key initiatives like Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences).

The Get Out MORE appropriation, passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Walz in 2023, provides funding for a variety of upgrades and enhancements to outdoor recreation in Minnesota, including modernizing boating access and camping infrastructure, enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure, and enhancing access and accessibility of outdoor recreation. There will be improved shore fishing opportunities, repaired roads, new signage and maps, improved trails and more adaptive equipment available to visitors which will all make opportunities to recreate in Minnesota’s great outdoors easier for more people. More information about these investments is available on the DNR’s Get Out MORE webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/aboutdnr/get-out-more).

Celebrated in Minnesota since 2008, Great Outdoors Month highlights the diversity of public lands throughout the state and the benefits they provide.

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

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