MN-FISH

05/27/2026

Well, that’s a bit extreme!

Oregon's Initiative Petition 28 aims to ban hunting, fishing, and animal breeding in 2026.

05/25/2026

"Home of the free, because of the brave."

05/20/2026

Big Wins for Minnesota Anglers: Legislature Funding $33 Million in Hatchery & Access Upgrades

It always seems to come down to the last minute, but late Sunday night the Minnesota legislature passed a $1.24 billion dollar bonding bill that includes MN-FISH’s number one priority, $3 million to start the process for replacing the dilapidated St. Paul Fish Hatchery, and $30 million for repair, renovation, and replacement of DNR’s capital assets, including public water accesses. How much of this $30 million will be used for accesses is unknown at this time.

“This is what happens when Minnesota anglers stand up and say ‘fix these problems,’” said MN-FISH Executive Director Mark Holsten. “For years we have been asking the legislature to rebuild our fish management infrastructure and crumbling boat ramps, and yesterday, they responded in a meaningful way. This is a big win for state anglers.”

For the past three years, MN-FISH has been actively lobbying legislators to replace the 130-year old St. Paul fish hatchery, a critical facility that raises walleye and muskie for stocking in key metro waters.

MN-FISH-led tours of the hatchery showed legislators first-hand that the dated facility relied on duct tape and chicken wire to stay operational.

MN-FISH would like to thank members of both the house and senate for their work in passing this bill including Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL) and Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R) as chief authors. Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL) and Sen. Karin Housley (R) helped greatly in securing this funding as well.

05/14/2026

There's still time!
EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE GETS DOUBLED
Chore Warrior is doubling your donations and membership fees until May 17th! Become a member or make a donation now at MN-FISH.com

05/12/2026

How are your public accesses looking this year?
Some of you will see improvements at your local PWA this spring. The $38 million MN-FISH worked to secure is making a difference.
However, many of you will find your access in even worse shape this year. That is why MN-FISH continues working at the capital to secure even more dollars to rebuild our public accesses.
Please show your support for our efforts at: MN-FISH.com
All donations and memberships are currently doubled, thanks to Chore Warrior!

05/11/2026

MN-FISH continues to support the Muskie Movement and Survivability Study being done on Leech Lake by helping pay for state of the art telemetry equipment used to track fish and offering funds to pay for additional expenses related to the Muskie Study.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there!

05/08/2026

Governor Walz is in Stillwater for the Fishing Opener and took a moment to talk about MN-FISH’s efforts of pushing for more investment from the state of MN to support better fishing across the state!

05/08/2026

Opening Day Is Here

The countdown to Minnesota’s third major holiday (besides Christmas and New Years) has begun: Opening day of Minnesota Fishing Season.

Good luck to all anglers this Saturday from all of us at MN-FISH. I can almost hear fillets sizzling!

Yes, it’s about fishing, but the opener is more than that. It’s a celebration, it’s family and friends. It’s enjoying our state’s abundant fishing water and plentiful walleyes.

It’s also about busy boat ramps and crowded fishing hotspots. Just take a deep breath and enjoy. We’ve all been there. Take another deep breath. It’s the opener.

I have fished Wisconsin’s opener on the first Saturday in May, and it’s great to be on the water, but it is not the same as our opener…less excitement, fewer participants. And that’s okay. It’s just another example of how the Minnesota opener is so special…something like 700,000 anglers are expected Saturday. Don’t know if that’s an accurate estimate but that’s the figure being used.

Opening day is also worth another reminder to drive safe, make sure your batteries are charged, be courteous and remember the water will be cold in many lakes. Life jackets should be worn or kept handy. Oh, don’t forget a fishing license.

Other than that….there are plenty of walleyes for everybody….I’ll cast first.

Good fishing,
Ron Schara
President

05/07/2026

Family Supports MN-FISH With Memorial; Chore Warrior Doubles Donation.
For the last 60 years, Richard Hample of Jackson, Minnesota, headed to his cabin on Lake Winnie to chase his beloved walleyes when the season opened. To honor Richard, who passed away March 17, his family is donating $500 to MN-FISH to continue its work on behalf of all Minnesota anglers.

“My dad loved to fish and shared that love with his whole family,” said his daughter Karen Pennaz. “He was a fan of MN-FISH and the work this organization does. This donation helps ensure his grandkids can share the same thrills he enjoyed while on Winnie and many other lakes across the state.”

The Hample donation will be doubled by a generous $25,000 Challenge Donation from Chore Warrior, which makes quality tools that make home and farm work easier. Your donations will also be doubled by Chore Warrior, but you need to move quickly as the Challenge ends soon. Go to give now to support MN-FISH.
Donate at: givemn.org/organization/Mn-Fish-Sportfishing-Foundation