In 1973, Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson appeared on the cover of Time magazine for the magazine’s feature on “The Good Life in Minnesota.” The pose chosen to epitomize that “good life”? Standing on a dock, grinning from ear to ear with a fish raised triumphantly before him.
Hunting and fishing are at the heart of Minnesota’s identity, and indeed there are many, many Minnesotans who spend serious time huddled in deer stands or perched in fishing boats. There are hundreds of hunting and fishing resorts all over the state, many of which can sell you your hunting or fishing licenses right on the premises, as well as bait, ammunition, and rod and boat rentals. Hospitality Minnesota (651-778-2400; www.hospitalitymn.com) and the Minnesota Office of Tourism (888-TOURISM; www.exploreminnesota .com) issue an annual booklet that lists resorts in detail and will mail you a free copy if you call or contact them through either Web site.
Hunters and anglers are encouraged to be ethical, safe, and responsible. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been working since 1931 to make sure that there will always be game and fish for future generations, and strict fines and imprisonment are some of the penalties imposed on poachers and careless hunters who disregard the laws. The DNR offers many valuable resources to hunters and anglers, including information booklets on the best places to go hunting and fishing, a regularly updated Web site (www.dnr.state.mn.us) with specific information about breeding and stocking programs for game animals and fish, the convenience of applying for hunting and fishing licenses over the telephone or on the DNR’s Web site, regulations, and information about hunting seasons for specific game and for specific types of hunting.