Minnesotans age 16 or older fish free with kids January 13-15.
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is this Saturday, January 13, through Monday, January 15.
During the weekend, Minnesota residents age 16 or older can fish or dark-house spear without an angling or spearing license if they take a child younger than 16 fishing or spearing.
“Ice fishing is a fun way to get outdoors in the winter,” said Jeff Ledermann, angler recruitment and retention supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “This weekend is a way to encourage anglers to get out and take a kid fishing.”
Before heading out, anglers or spearers should check ice conditions locally. Visit http://bit.ly/TakeaKidIceFishingWeekend for ice thickness guidelines and more information about taking kids fishing.
The DNR offers the following guidelines for new clear ice:
*4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
*5 inches for snowmobile or ATV.
*8-12 inches for car or small pickup.
*12-15 inches for medium truck.
Ice thickness may vary greatly across a single body of water, making it important to check the ice conditions before heading out.
In addition to checking conditions and being prepared with an ice safety kit, the most important piece of equipment to have on the ice is a life jacket. Wearing, not just carrying, a life jacket the odds of surviving a fall into extremely cold water increase and could save your life.
Once out on the ice, a safety kit is a good idea, should the ice give way. An ice safety kit should include:
*Rope
*Ice picks
*Ice chisel
*Tape measure
Last, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
The DNR ice thickness guidelines and more resources are available at: mndnr.gov/icesafety.
