Ready for ice fishing?

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minnesota department of natural resources

Minnesota Fishing

Dec. 16, 2021

Stay informed! Here’s a summary of upcoming fisheries and habitat management activities and ways you can discover, explore and experience Minnesota’s outdoors.

scene on ice with tracks from a vehicle that had driven on a lake

Check ice thickness for yourself

Weather, currents, snow cover and springs can cause ice conditions to change rapidly and vary widely, even on the same body of water and even in a short period of time.

In many parts of Minnesota, it’s easy to see where other people have accessed the ice — whether it’s footprints, snowmobile tracks or a post on social media. But never assume you’re good to go just because someone headed out before you.

More details: Get ice safety tips
Conservation Officer knocking on the door of an ice house on a lake

Do you need a shelter license?

As you prepare for ice fishing, make sure to read up on ice shelter licenses. Minnesota fishing regulations recognize two types of shelters: portable and nonportable. Find out when you need a license and when you don’t on the DNR website.

More details: Read the regulations
DNR Recreation Compass map of Lake Vermilion

Lake Vermilion creel survey begins

Ice anglers fishing Lake Vermilion this winter may be asked to participate in a winter creel survey. Creel clerks from the DNR will be traveling the lake on foot or on snowmobile to interview ice anglers about their harvest through Feb. 27.

More details: Read about what creel clerks ask and why
kids ice fishing on a lake in 2018

Learn more about ice fishing online

Now is a great time to prepare for ice fishing this winter!

Check out our learn to ice fish page with species-specific guides and great tips to get you started.

More details: Get ready for ice fishing
An ice shelter and ATV on ice without much snow cover

Fishing webinars for your calendar

We’ve got a couple noon webinars coming up in January for anyone who wants to learn more about ways to get out on the ice this winter.

  • Ice angling for panfish, Wednesday, Jan. 12. Whether you’re new to ice fishing or have a lifetime of experience, learn angling tips and techniques that you can put to good use.
  • Darkhouse spearing, Wednesday, Jan. 19. Hear about the thrill of darkhouse spearing – the closest thing you can get to hunting on hard water.

Registration is required in advance and is free. We also have videos of past webinars available on a variety of fishing topics.

More details: Register for the webinars
two anglers casting on a lake from a fishing boat

Please share your thoughts on DNR’s electronic license system

The DNR is looking to modernize an outdated electronic license system and we need your input! We’re asking everyone who purchases licenses or who might in the future — anglers and hunters or anyone who registers or titles a recreational vehicle — to consider sharing your input. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete and is available through Jan. 31.

More details: Please share your input

Find fishing information

You can find the information you need about learning to fish, regulations, where to fish, aquatic invasive species, contacting a conservation officer and more on the DNR fishing page at mndnr.gov/fishing.