Fishing is free this weekend

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This Friday through Sunday is “Take-A-Kid Fishing” weekend in Minnesota. Any child up to age 15 can fish on any waters without a license, along with their partner age 16 or older.

“This is a great opportunity to discover fishing,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Opportunities for inexperienced, beginning anglers abound throughout Minnesota.”

You don’t need a boat, and the availability of loaner equipment in some areas means you won’t even need a pole or tackle.

Start by visiting www. mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing to learn some terminology, basic techniques and shore-fishing locations. Area and regional DNR fisheries offices throughout Minnesota also will offer some good, old-fashioned angling advice about fishing spots that will keep young anglers happy and safe.

Thirty of Minnesota’s 66 state parks offer loaner fishing equipment that can be used within the park when visiting. Even when it’s not Take-A-Kid Fishing weekend, Minnesota residents may fish in a state park without a fishing license provided the body of water does not require a trout stamp. Anglers also must fish from shore or wade in water within the state park or from a boat or a float on a designated lake within a Minnesota state park.

“Fishing is one of the easiest and most-accessible outdoor activities in Minnesota,” Kurre said. “Take a kid fishing and, come the end of the trip, you’re both likely to be hooked.”

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, fishing, fccnetwork