Minnesota Trout Unlimited’s outreach and education programs directly connect youth and families with their local watersheds throughout the state. As an essential component of our mission, these programs engage people of all ages with the natural world through hands-on learning experiences that provide them with a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s aquatic ecosystems and their roles as environmental stewards our treasured waters. See below for more information about these fantastic programs.

Trout in the Classroom: MNTIC is a school-based program that provides consistent opportunities for students to connect with their natural environment through field days and classroom activities while caring for their own trout, from eggs to fingerlings. Students learn about watershed ecology and clean water, fish biology and fishing skills, and natural resource conservation. The school year culminates with a field trip to release their trout into the wild.. Learn more.

Fishing Skills Programs: Minnesota Trout Unlimited is excited to offer Youth and Family Fishing Programs in partnership with parks and recreation departments throughout the Twin Cities metro area. We would like to invite MNTU members, Trout in the Classroom teachers and students, and their families to join us for a few hours of fun, learning, and meeting other anglers. Both spin and fly fishing programs will be open to the public and will cover all the basics: how to set up a rod, cast like a pro, and take fish off your hook.

Mentorship Program: This program is intended to be a simple person-to-person network, directly connecting youth to mentors.  Mentors and mentees can arrange their own location, dates and times throughout the fishing season.  Learn more.

Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo: MNTU operates the largest fly fishing expo in the region with the goals of bringing the community together, creating resource advocates and providing educational programs on fly fishing. Learn more.

Latest Education News

Trout in the Classroom: February 2026 update

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a unique educational experience for students. Throughout this year-long program, students learn about Minnesota… read more

An 8-year look at the MNTU education program

In this new year, I wanted to do a recap about the last 8 years of MNTU’s education program. See… read more

12,000 eggs delivered for Trout in the Classroom

We completed the first of two egg deliveries on December 3rd! Over 12,000 eggs were sorted, packaged, and distributed throughout… read more

Trout in the Classroom: 19 years and growing

In its 19th year, Minnesota Trout in the Classroom has 86 tanks in 74 schools and 2 nature centers throughout… read more

Another year of Trout in the Classroom

The 2025-26 Trout in the Classroom season kicked off with our first teacher and volunteer training in Duluth and the… read more

Trout in the Classroom wraps up for the 2024-25 school year

There were 79 tanks in 67 schools and 2 nature centers this year. 55 of those schools and 1 of… read more

Honoring a longtime partnership with Minnesota DNR

Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) has long partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to advance its mission to… read more

All your questions about trout releases answered

It’s April and our education team is kicking off the 2024-25 release season with our Trout in the Classroom (TIC)… read more

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