License sales surge as ice fishing booms

Minnesota anglers have purchased more than 56,000 fishing licenses since Thanksgiving, more than in any matching period in at least the past decade and 152% more than a year ago.

Hover/tap for detailFishing licenses sold annually from Nov. 28 - Jan. 13
A column chart shows annual fishing licenses typically sold around 40,000, but plummeting to half that in 2023 and rebounding in 2024 to the highest level seen in a decade.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesC.J. Sinner, The Minnesota Star Tribune