You're never too old to learn something new

I was pleasantly surprised last Sunday morning when my grandson Trevor called and asked me if I wanted to go fishing. We went and I observed Trevor catching numerous fish and losing one huge northern pike. The fish came out of the water right at the boat and actually straightened out the snap holding the lure before swimming away with Trevor’s lure still in its mouth. I felt satisfaction in just being able to witness a fish that size, in one of our area’s lakes.

 

There have been plenty of fish being taken from Fountain and Albert Lea Lake. I asked Trevor if he had tried fishing out by the Jugland dam yet. He said that he tried it a week ago, but the water was so murky that he knew fishing wouldn’t be any good.

 

I always enjoy fishing with Trevor. Now that the tables have turned instead of me taking him fishing, it is him taking Grandpa fishing. I was even lucky enough to get him to retrieve my lure a couple of times when one cast landed in a tree and another on someone’s dock. I told him that it was payback for the times I took him fishing as a kid. I can never tell him enough how much I appreciate him taking me fishing.

 

This spring, the fishing has been good on many area lakes. St. Olaf, Beaver, Fountain and State Line lakes have all been producing different species of fish. I have heard that Lura Lake is already pretty weedy for this time of year. I would guess that it might be attributed to the lack of rain in our area.

 

Each year in early June, Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is an opportunity for adults to share the fun of fishing with kids.

 

“This is a great time of year to take kids fishing. The weather is usually pleasant, and the fish are often found close to shores and piers,” said Benji Kohn, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources volunteer mentor program coordinator. “Try heading out to a nearby lake and cast out with a hook, bait and bobber. Kids will be all smiles when they catch fish.”

 

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 7, and this year, the weekend coincides with a pause in fishing license sales as the DNR transitions data to Minnesota’s new electronic license system. During the pause in license sales, anglers may fish without a license from 12 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 8. All other fishing season regulations and bag limits will remain in effect. At 12 a.m. June 9, the new electronic license system will open for anglers and hunters.

 

Youth 15 and younger do not require fishing licenses at any time of the year, though they must observe all fishing seasons and regulations.

 

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