Fishing basics
Fort Snelling State Park
3-5 p.m. Friday
Learn to fish at a program for families. Identify species and practice how to bait a hook and cast. Equipment is provided. No license is needed for Minnesota residents. Call 612-725-2724 to register. (mndnr.gov).
Nature hikes
• Whitewater State Park,
6-7 p.m. Saturday: Find out how oceans, glaciers and raging rivers have shaped the landscape of the Whitewater River Valley. Meet at the Chimney Rock trailhead. (1-507-312-2300, mndnr.gov)
• Fort Snelling State Park, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday: A naturalist will lead a 3-mile hike on the trails. (612-725-2724, mndnr.gov)
• William O'Brien State Park,
8:30-10 a.m. Sunday: Take a walk to spot bluebirds. The group will peek inside bird houses to see what is nesting inside. This program is great for adults and children. (651-433-0500, ext. 227, mndnr.gov)
• Interstate State Park, noon-1 p.m. Sunday: A naturalist will lead participants through the distinctive, glacier-cut rock features of the park. (mndnr.gov, 651-465-5711, ext. 225)
Try log rolling
Cleary Lake Regional Park
2-4 p.m. Sunday
Dress to get wet. Drop in anytime. This program is free and open to ages 5 and older. (763-694-7777, threeriversparks.org)
Fish as a family
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
9-11 a.m. Saturday
Learn about types of fish, preparing equipment and bait, and handling fish. Equipment and fishing license are provided for class. Cost is $6. Call 763-559-6700 to reserve a spot. (threeriversparks.org)
Monarchs
Lake Carlos State Park
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sunday
Learn about the life stages of the monarch butterfly. A naturalist will look for examples of the caterpillar, chrysalis and adult butterfly. (1-320-852-7200, mndnr.gov)