There are ice fishing opportunities geared toward children on the calendar.

There are several organized opportunities ahead, one of them Jan. 16 at Fort Snelling State Park, the other Jan. 17 at Whitewater State Park.

"We know parents and adults are an important factor in getting kids involved in fishing, and this makes it easier to get adults out there with children. Hopefully, they can take advantage of the opportunity," said Jeff Ledermann, MinnAqua coordinator with the DNR, on Take A Kid Ice Fishing events. People can fish or spearfish for free when accompanied by a child 15 years old or younger.

One caveat: Given the unseasonably warm weather late into December, be cautious on the ice. Conditions can vary. Go online to bit.ly/takefish on the DNR's website for more information.