Fisheries Internship Summer 2025 – 56 positions statewide (35 different offices)

Description: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

This posting will be used to fill up to 57 internships in the following locations: Aitkin, Baudette, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, East Metro (Saint Paul), Fergus Falls, Finland, Glenwood, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Hinckley, Hutchinson, International Falls, Lake City, Lanesboro, Little Falls, Mille Lacs (Garrison), Ortonville, Park Rapids, Sauk Rapids, Spicer, Tower, Walker, Waterville, and West Metro (Shakopee).

These internships require the interns to do a variety of fisheries survey work as part of a crew. They also may be involved in various aspects of fisheries management, research, or hatchery operations at the local level. These positions require teamwork and communication skills. The internships will provide opportunities to learn about and help implement DNR fisheries resources investigational programs. The work can be physically demanding, including heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) and difficult walking conditions. Field work may occur on soft and uneven ground and unstable muck, in waist-deep and/or flowing water, and in dense aquatic vegetation. Work sometimes occurs in inclement weather, heavy rain, and wind, and including hot summer days working without shade. Interns will be working in wet conditions frequently handling live and dead fish and other aquatic organisms, some with sharp teeth and spines including dissection of fish that are in varying degrees of decay. 

These positions may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Housing is not provided with any of these internships, but local staff can provide suggestions for where to locate temporary housing. These internships may require overnight travel. When traveling, lodging and transportation are provided, and the cost of meals will be reimbursed per contract. The anticipated dates for these positions are variable, depending on the location but are typically mid-May through late August; positions may start in early May or not until early June, or could optionally extend into September at some locations. Some internships may require the intern to work four 10-hour days with frequent overnight travel.

Responsibilities: Fisheries assessment work on lakes and rivers involving gill net, trap net, seining, electrofishing, and habitat surveys at Aitkin, Baudette, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, East Metro (Saint Paul), Fergus Falls, Finland, Glenwood, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Hinckley, Hutchinson, International Falls, Lake City, Lanesboro, Little Falls, Mille Lacs (Garrison), Ortonville, Park Rapids, Sauk Rapids, Spicer, Tower, Walker, Waterville, and West Metro (Shakopee). Several locations will include work on lakes and/or streams where equipment must be portaged into including Duluth, Finland, Grand Marais, International Falls, and Tower.

Fish Hatchery duties at Waterville, Spicer, and East Metro (Saint Paul) locations.

Invasive carp survey and sampling work at East Metro (Saint Paul). 

Qualifications: 

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND

Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

Majoring in one of the following areas: Biology, Natural Resources, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, Recreation Resource Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related degree. Please contact us if you are unsure if your major qualifies.

Ability to handle live and dead fish. 

Interpersonal skills to effectively interact and communicate in person and remotely with staff and a diverse customer base interested or involved in resource management.

Knowledge of personal computers and applications sufficient to complete data entry.

Skilled in attention to detail.  

Learn more and apply here.