Fishing in Northern Minnesota and especially Lake of the Woods is the extreme adventure and enjoyment for many. During the past three years, more and more people have turned to this great sport to enjoy the great outdoors, enjoy family, establish a tradition with children and also minister to their mental health.

Yes, if you’re feeling down or burnt out, it might be time to get back into nature. Just think of the beautiful pristine waters of Lake of the Woods where you can hardly see the shoreline. Now imagine yourself in a large charter boat with a guide, who is professional at navigating the waters, and sit back and leave the driving to him. He’ll fix you up with a line to catch some great walleye, perch, northern, sturgeon, or more and then help you land them in the boat.

Now pick up your favorite beverage and snack and wait for the next bite. All the while the glistening waters speak peace to you and the rocking of boat eases any stress that you might have been experiencing through your job or other circumstances. It’s important for our mental health to “kick back” and allow ourselves this time to decompress from the daily grind. What better way than to spend time gazing at the beautiful water.

According to Niels Eék, psychologist and co-founder of mental wellbeing and self-development platform Remente, spending time in nature may be the key to good mental health.

“Several researchers have looked into the health benefits connected to spending time out in nature. One study specifically, which was recently published in BioScience Journal, found that daily exposure to nature can, among other things, help reduce feelings of stress and even improve your self-esteem, for up to seven hours. Reconnecting with nature can also help you become more mindful and present in the moment,” Eék said in a statement.

Moreover, a study from the University of Michigan suggests that being in nature not only improves your mood for the time but also has positive long-term effects when it comes to depression and memory, as well as decreasing the risk of certain cancers and high blood pressure.

So what should you do to boost your mental health effectively in nature? Well, there is always camping, biking and hiking, but some experts believe the best way to take care of your mind is to go on a fishing trip.

An Australian survey funded by the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Scheme reports relaxation and stress relief are the main benefits people get from recreational fishing, according to reps for Fishbrainthis link opens in a new tab, a mobile app and social network for people who love to fish.

The free app has attracted millions of users who have discovered fishing as their newfound self-care hobby. The app uses an interactive map to allow users to find the best places to fish, as well as record their catches, plan trips, share tips and techniques, and purchase the latest gear.

“Fishing is one of the most popular sports in the world and one of only a few truly global hobbies,” Johan Attby, CEO and founder of Fishbrain, said in a statement “With data and sophisticated technology at its core, and an engaged community as its heart, Fishbrain has become a social network that both inspires and equips users across the globe to have more fun by fishing smarter, not harder.”

So, it’s easier than ever to go fishing, even if you’re a newbie, without the added stress of not catching anything.

Fishbrain’s users can attest to the mental health benefits of fishing. “Fishing has become critical to my mental health. My job as a sales/production manager can be quite stressful at times, and nothing relieves stress and centers me like fishing,” said Gabe Beaudry of Central Oregon.

“Going fishing outdoors increases your vitamin D, which helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body, keeping your bones and teeth healthy. It boosts your immune system and has been linked to fighting depression,” added Chasten Whitfield of Cortez, Florida.

Large numbers of fish and some monsters are possible. There is a tradition in these parts tracking the open water in the river and dropping that boat in for the first time of the season. Results are often time incredible.

The Rainy River also is famous for it’s Lake Sturgeon fishery. These fish live to over 100 year old and reach weights of over 100 lbs. Arguably, the river and 4 Mile Bay offer the top sturgeon fishing in the Midwest. This is an adventure all of its own as these fish take a long time to be reeled into the net. Lake of the Woods has an ample supply and during the sturgeon season, multitudes of anglers increase their enjoyment when catching this species.

Start planning your next Lake of the Woods fishing trip here.

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