While this has already been a great winter for ice fishing, this long holiday weekend- Saturday, January 18 through Monday, January 20- offers a unique opportunity for trying your hand at fishing and introducing kids to fishing as well. Take A Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is sponsored by the Minnesota DNR and provides Minnesota residents with the opportunity to ice fish or spear fish for free when accompanied by a child aged 15 or younger. If you’ve never been ice fishing before, you’ll want to check out the resources on the DNR’s website to learn more about how to ice fish, ice safety, and even how to create your own jiggle stick (fishing pole.) With so many lakes in the Alexandria area, anglers can take their pick of locations.

Taking kids fishing offers more benefits than just quality family time. Research has shown again and again that time in nature has both mental and physical health benefits. As Kenneth Reaves shares, fishing can help us develop resilience, build skills, and overcome challenges.

Mike Frisch from Fishing the Midwest provides some great advice that may remind us of the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” However, in this case, it’s closer to “If the fish isn’t biting, move and move again.” Check out his latest fishing tip for catching crappies: