Minnesota Fishing Opener is Late in 2021

Having nothing at all to do with the pandemic, but rather how the calendar falls, Minnesota's fishing opener in 2021 is as late as possible, occurring on May 15. In a news release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, fisheries program consultant Jon Hansen said, "We know there is some confusion about this year's opener date."

The release states, "Minnesota statute sets the fishing opener as the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This year, with Memorial Day the latest it can, on May 31, that puts the fishing opener on Saturday, May 15."

The department also admits an error was made in the printed Minnesota Fishing Regulations Book of the dates for "Take a Mom Fishing Weekend." The correct dates are May 8 and 9.

Summer seems to have blown in with the furnace-like winds we have experienced lately, but the DNR still advises everyone to be aware that the water can be very cold at this time of year. As boaters get ready to hit the water, the DNR reminds early season recreation lovers to be careful.

Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division, says in a news release, "Our boating season is Minnesota is limited, so we know people want to spend every moment they can on the opener water. But even among the strongest swimmers, a fall into the water in April is far more dangerous that the same fall in July because of the incapacitating effects of cold water."

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