Ask a friend to go fishing

Want to learn how to fish? Consider asking a friend for help.

“Ask another angler and they’ll likely take you fishing,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “The number one thing is to ask. Fishing with someone else can simply be more fun.”

To start, anglers might not need to buy gear or a license because in most cases, Minnesotans don’t need a license to fish in Minnesota state parks and fishing kits can be checked out through a free loaner program. For locations, see www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/loaner.

Classes for kids and adults are listed on the DNR Take a Kid Fishing page at www.mndnr.gov/takeakidgfishing. They include:

• I Can Fish! Classes led by a naturalist. Discover what it takes to start fishing. Rods, reels and bait provided.

• I Can Trout Fish! Classes provide fishing gear. License requirements are waived. Learn about trout, the food they eat, and how to catch and release trout.

• Fly fishing classes introduce the fundamentals, including how to cast or cast more accurately.

Classes are scheduled from Sunday, May 25, to Saturday, Aug. 30.