Take a Kid Fishing Weekend has been gaining momentum each year, and this year is no different.

“Fishing in general has always been strong here,” said Mike Kurre, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources mentoring program coordinator.

According to Kurre, Minnesota is No. 2 in the nation for the number of anglers per capita, only trailing Alaska. He said some of the best lakes and rivers are in the Albert Lea region.

The annual weekend, sponsored by  the DNR, is this weekend on bodies of water throughout the state. Albert Lea’s branch of the event is in conjunction with the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club.

Kurre said the club’s one of the strongest that he’s worked with.

“They do a fantastic job each year,” he said.

The club hosts its annual Take a Kid Fishing Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Edgewater Park in Albert Lea. Club members will be present to help with bait and to teach adults and children the correct way to catch a fish. They will hand out rods and reels to children, too.

During the annual weekend event, Minnesotans age 16 and older do not need a fishing license while taking a child age 15 or younger fishing.

“It gives parents and others the opportunity to share in an inexpensive experience,” Kurre said.

Even when it’s not Take a Kid Fishing Weekend, Minnesota residents generally can fish in state parks without a fishing license if the body of water doesn’t require a trout stamp, according to a DNR press release.