Take a Mom Fishing Weekend is May 8-9

Take a Mom Fishing Weekend — when Minnesota-resident moms can fish without purchasing a license — is Saturday, May 8, to Sunday, May 9. This special weekend is defined in Minnesota statutes as the weekend that coincides with Mother’s Day.

Most years, under Minnesota law, the fishing opener and Take a Mom Fishing Weekend fall on the same weekend, but not this year. Per state law, the 2021 fishing opener is Saturday, May 15.

Though the walleye season won’t be open for the 2021 Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, fishing is open for several other species, including crappie, sunfish, and under-appreciated fish like buffalo, sucker, bullhead or sheepshead.

Anglers be aware: There is an error in the printed version of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations book regarding the dates for Take a Mom Fishing Weekend. The correct dates are May 8-9.

More details: DNR fishing page

Fishing outlooks available

If you’re looking for local information before the Saturday, May 15, fishing opener for walleye, bass, northern pike and trout in lakes, you can gain local knowledge from regional fishing reports by the DNR. The regional fishing reports include details about waters throughout each region.

More details: DNR fishing outlooks

Prepare for pike this season

If you might want to keep northern pike when the season opens on May 15, please familiarize yourself with the regulations and be prepared to measure the fish.

Minnesota has three northern pike zones that apply to inland waters and reflect the differing characteristics of pike populations across the state:

• North-central: Limit of 10 northern pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; all fish 22 to 26 inches must be released.

• Northeast: Two northern pike; anglers must release all fish 30 to 40 inches, with only one fish over 40 inches allowed in possession.

• South: Two northern pike; minimum size 24 inches.

Throughout the state, special regulations that cover individual lakes, rivers and streams remain in effect and take precedence over the zone regulations. The northern pike zone regulations do not apply to border waters.

More details: DNR northern pike page

Learn how to kayak the 

Mississippi River backwaters

Anyone interested in learning more about how to kayak the backwaters of the Mississippi River is invited to join a webinar from the DNR.

The webinar is at noon on Wednesday, May 12, and is part of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series that aims to give participants quick, relevant information on upcoming seasons and events, and skills to help enjoy these opportunities.

More details: DNR Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series page

Check for new sunfish regulations where you fish

Remember to closely check the 2021 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet and signs at water accesses for new sunfish limits that are in effect on 94 waters. The new regulations went into effect March 1. Lower limits on specific waters are part of an initiative to protect and increase sunfish sizes. These changes are in response to angler-driven concerns over the declining sizes of sunfish in Minnesota.

More details: DNR sunfish management page

Marsh Lake drawdown to continue through summer

Lake levels will remain lowered on Marsh Lake south of Appleton through the summer of 2021 in order to protect and strengthen the emergent vegetation established in 2020. This was a collaborative management decision reached by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Marsh Lake is a 5,000-acre reservoir along the Minnesota River and is an important nesting area and key migration point for hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese, as well as one of the most important rookeries for American white pelicans.

More details: DNR Marsh Lake news release