MINNESOTA FISHING opener
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t’s one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes - fishing – and at this time of year, enthusiasts are gearing up for the opening of fishing season on Saturday, May 15. Minnesota statute sets the fishing opener as the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Since this year Memorial Day is the latest it can be, on May 31, that makes the fishing opener on Saturday, May 15. A great excuse to get out on one of the many lakes in the Alexandria area, fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy the sun, relax and unwind. If you’re going to fish in Minnesota, don’t forget to pick up a fishing license. Anyone age 16 or older needs to have a current Min-
nesota fishing license in order to hook that lunker. To buy your license online, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/ online-sales, by phone at 1-888-6654236 (1-MN-LICENSE) or at approved vendors throughout the state. A list is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ licenses/agents.html. There are a couple of free fishing weekends in Minnesota: May 8-9 – Take A Mom Fishing when Minnesota resident moms fish free. This is the same weekend as Mother’s Day this year; June 11-13 – Take A Kid Fishing, where residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16. Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/ fishing/ for more information about Minnesota regulations for fishing.
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK may 22-28
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s the summer approaches, Minnesotans are getting ready to pull out their boats and take to the water. National Safe Boating Week, May 22-28, seeks to remind people about the importance of being safe while on the water.
Be sure to know your boat’s capacity. If you have too much on your boat, the boat may become unstable and capsize.
Check the weather, including the water temperature. Know the latest marine weather forecast prior to going out, and keep a regular check for changing conditions.
Wear a life jacket. No matter what activity you have planned, always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for your water activity and fits properly.
Dress properly. Always dress for the weather, wearing layers if cooler weather, and bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet.
Always follow navigation rules. Know the “Rules of the Road” such as operator’s responsibility, maintaining a proper lookout, safe speed, crossing, meeting head-on and overtaking situations. Don’t drink while you boat. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 15 percent of deaths. Keep in touch. Communication devices can be the most important piece of emergency equipment on board a vessel, especially in case of emergency.
ALEXANDRIA, MN
Docks & Lifts
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TOP TRADE-IN E C ALLOWAN
1424 N. Nokomis, Alexandria, MN 320-762-8412 | www.AlexAutoNMarine.com
FINANC AVAILABING LE!
Be safe and have fun this summer! 320-852-7380 • 5110 County Road 13 NE, Carlos www.centralmarineandsports.com May/June 2021 • Vacationer 11
