ST. CLOUD -- As you prepare for the upcoming fishing opener, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a few reminders.

Conservation Officer Chad Thesing says always carry your license with you, remember to clean your boat and trailer of weeds and mud, drain your boat of all water and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

Before heading out next week, make sure to have a wearable life jacket for everyone in the boat, have a "throwable" device and make sure your boat registration is up to date.

Thesing says it's also a good idea to get your boat into the water to give it a test run before you head out on the opener.

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