Myre-Big Island State Park will host a free “I Can Fish!” program to teach families the basics about fishing. The program will be from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 26.

The program is part of the Department of Natural Resources’ MinnAqua initiative to get more kids outdoors to become future stewards of Minnesota.

A trained MinnAqua Naturalist Corps staff person will be on hand to offer helpful tips, encouragement, and facts about aquatic insects, fish and more. Participants will learn about stewardship and conserving aquatic habitats.

Each person will also have a chance to make his or her own pop can caster to fish with during the program and take home. Most of the morning will be spent hands-on, however, to get kids catching fish.

The I Can Fish! program is free, and a fishing license is not required. Furthermore, it’s not just limited to Myre Big Island. Beginning fishermen can find more information at dnr.state.mn.us/minnaqua.

One of the DNR’s tools is “Fishing: Get in The Habit,” a guide with multiple lessons for beginning fishermen, locations of every fishing pier in Minnesota and free fishing seminars throughout the state.

Vehicles entering Myre-Big Island are required to have a state park permit ($5 daily or $25 year-round), which can be purchased at the park.

Myre-Big Island State Park is located three miles southeast of Albert Lea on County Highway 38, Interstates 90 and 35 intersect just north of Albert Lea and both interstates have signs directing visitors to the park.