• MinnAqua: Begun by the DNR in 1989 as an urban fishing program, MinnAqua has expanded statewide. Staff introduce kids and families to fishing and teach fishing skills and conservation awareness. It has an outdoors curriculum for teachers. More: www.dnr.state.mn.us/minnaqua.

• Fishing in the Neighborhood (FIN): A DNR program that stocks metro ponds and lakes with fish, FIN also helps build shore-fishing piers and joins lake associations and parks departments to promote fishing. FIN hopes to provide angling opportunities within walking or biking distance of many Twin Cities neighborhoods. Lakes and ponds stocked this spring are listed at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin.

• The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: The 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi flowing through the Twin Cities offers fishing, boating and canoeing, as well as bird-watching, biking and hiking. Summer events are planned. www.nps.gov/miss.

• Becoming an Outdoors Family and other DNR fishing, hunting and camping chances are available. For a complete list go to: www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishwildlife/outreach.