Fish for free in most Minnesota state parks

Minnesota residents can fish without a fishing license in most Minnesota state parks, including ice fishing!

Happy child catches large fishIf the body of water requires a trout stamp, you will need a fishing license whether you are fishing for trout or for something else. If no trout stamp is required, a Minnesota resident may fish in a state park without a fishing license when:

  1. Fishing from shore or wading in water within the state park; or
  2. Fishing through the ice, from a boat or a float on a designated lake that is completely encompassed within a Minnesota state park.

Read the full statute
Learn more about fishing in Minnesota

You will still need a vehicle permit to enter a Minnesota state park. All park rules must be followed as usual, as well as any fishing rules and regulations.

Note: This is only true for Minnesota state parks, not for Minnesota state recreation areas or for city, county, regional or national parks -- all of these require Minnesota residents to have a fishing license.

Map of Free Fishing Locations in Minnesota State ParksLake Bronson State Park Hayes Lake State Park Zippel Bay State Park Franz Jevne State Park Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park Lake Bemidji State Park Bear Head Lake State Park Scenic State Park McCarthy Beach State Park Old Mill State Park Hill Annex Mine State Park Itasca State Park Buffalo River State Park Schoolcraft State Park Savanna Portage State Park Jay Cooke State Park Moose Lake State Park Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Crow Wing State Park Banning State Park Maplewood State Park Glendalough State Park Lake Carlos State Park Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Father Hennepin State Park Glacial Lakes State Park Big Stone Lake State Park Monson Lake State Park Sibley State Park St. Croix State Park Wild River State Park Interstate State Park Lake Maria State Park Lac qui Parle State Park William O Brien State Park Fort Snelling State Park Afton State Park Frontenac State Park John A. Latsch State Park Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Sakatah Lake State Park Rice Lake State Park Fort Ridgely State Park Camden State Park Flandrau State Park Split Rock Creek State Park Blue Mounds State Park Lake Shetek State Park Kilen Woods State Park Minneopa State Park Myre-Big Island State Park Lake Louise State Park

At parks with trout fishing opportunities, a trout stamp must be purchased before fishing.

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