According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the state is actually home to 11,842 lakes with a surface area of at least 10 acres. And we’re talking legendary fishing destinations such as Mille Lacs, Lake Minnetonka, Leech Lake and many others. Regardless of the exact number, Minnesota offers lots of places for anglers to wet their lines.

You've probably heard about Minnesota's legendary walleye fishing, but the state is just as incredible for fishing largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, sauger, crappie, bluegill, perch, sturgeon, catfish, lake trout, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, steelhead, splake, salmon, burbot and whitefish, just to name a few.

There are currently 155 fishing guides and charters listed in the Explore Minnesota database. These people make their living by providing anglers with a safe, comfortable and enjoyable Minnesota fishing experience, and they do a great job at it. Check them out.

Fish don’t hibernate in the winter, so why should anglers? With all of the high-tech equipment and creature comforts available for ice fishing today, there’s no reason to not head out on one of Minnesota’s countless frozen waterways in winter. Try it once and you'll agree; it's easy to get hooked on Minnesota ice fishing!

Minnesota spans more than 400 miles north to south. The result is that one person can be hauling in trophy lakers and pike on a remote shield lake while another is simultaneously battling monster catfish on the Mississippi.

Ever hear the term “Minnesota Nice”? If not, Google might help clear things up a bit. But the only way to truly find out what it means to be Minnesota nice is to experience it firsthand. Go ahead, start planning your fishing trip today!