Minnesota DNR Making Massive Additions To Shore Fishing Options

Not everyone in the Land of 10,000 Lakes has a boat, but finding places to fish from shore is getting even easier, thanks to some new efforts from the Minnesota DNR.

The DNR has been working on a sizable project to add new fishing piers and improve existing shore fishing options around Minnesota.

The effort is part of the DNR's "Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences)" program to invest in opportunities to "help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whatever outdoor experience they choose."

A one-time $150 million allocation of money has been put toward this effort, focusing on things like modernizing boat access, enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor facilities, modernizing camping infrastructure, and enhancing fishing infrastructure.

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Just this week, the Minnesota DNR shared via social media that they had completed two new fishing piers as part of this effort. One of the new piers is the new Shingobee Island Fishing Pier on Leech Lake in Walker, and the other is on Lake Francis in Elysian.

This is in addition to another pier that was installed on Spring Lake in North Mankato in April, with several more projects ahead through the rest of 2025.

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The DNR says a total of 20 more piers and shoreline fishing site improvements are planned through 2025, and more yet in 2026.

The Minnesota DNR, in cooperation with local governments, maintains access to numerous fishing piers and shore fishing sites around Minnesota. As you can see in the map above, they are located around the state, with many on popular lakes.

You can see the full, interactive map of all public fishing piers and shore fishing sites in Minnesota via the Minnesota DNR's piers and shore fishing sites webpage.