Otter Tail lakes area readies for free family fishing weekend

Otter Tail County’s lakes drew families this weekend as Minnesota and North Dakota opened their free fishing windows, giving new anglers a low-cost way to get on the water while leaving every other fishing rule in place.

In Minnesota, Take a Kid Fishing Weekend ran June 5-7, 2026. Residents 16 and older could fish without a license only if they were taking a child 15 or younger fishing, and Minnesota residents 15 and younger did not need a fishing license at any time of year. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also said license sales were paused June 2-8 while the agency moved data to a new electronic licensing system, meaning anglers could fish without a license during that pause even as season rules and bag limits still applied.

That put the Otter Tail lakes area in a prime spot for families looking to try the sport for the first time. A weekend like this sends people to bait shops, public boat launches and nearby cafes, resorts and convenience stores around the lakes, where a first outing often means live bait, tackle, fuel and an ice cream stop after a few hours on the water. For local businesses built around lake traffic, the free weekend can bring in beginners who might return later in the summer with a license, a boat and a longer shopping list.

North Dakota had its own free fishing window June 6-7, 2026. Under Open Water Free Fishing Days, residents 16 and older could fish without a resident fishing license during the weekend, while North Dakota residents 15 and younger did not need a fishing license at any time of year. North Dakota Game and Fish said the event was meant to encourage people to try fishing for the first time or introduce someone new to the outdoor sport.

Minnesota also pushed online help for families heading out, including recorded webinars on how to fish, information on accessible piers and shore-fishing locations, guidance on what to do with live bait after fishing, and a photo uploader for weekend participants. Even with the licenses waived, the rules did not change: anglers still had to follow normal seasons, bag limits and other fishing regulations on every lake and river they visited.