Minnesota is seeing a resurgence in youth fishing as more young people take to the state’s lakes and rivers. Participation among anglers aged 16 to 20 increased in 2025, with about 111,000 licenses sold—more than a 15 percent rise from 2023, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The increase follows a post-pandemic lull in youth participation and reflects growing interest in school leagues, community outreach events, and park-based “how-to” programs. These initiatives are helping nurture a new generation of anglers and making the sport more accessible to young people.
Garry Leaf, board member of MN-FISH, a state advocacy organization, emphasized the importance of sustaining these efforts. “Continuing to create those opportunities is critical to maintaining youth fishing’s gains,” he said. “Let’s double down because those kids are going to have an effect on other kids.”
Statewide programs, including school bass leagues and local fishing clinics, are helping introduce youth to fishing while fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. These efforts complement traditional hatcheries and are helping maintain a steady influx of new anglers.
The 2026 fishing season officially opens on Saturday, May 9, and conservation officials hope the upward trend continues. With increased support for youth programs and access to recreational waters, Minnesota aims to maintain long-term engagement among young anglers.
The rebound in youth fishing license sales also contributes to broader conservation and recreational goals, ensuring that the next generation values and protects the state’s aquatic resources.
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