Fishing Regulations in Minnesota
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Minnesota fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Minnesota requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. The "Land of 10,000 Lakes" offers resident and non-resident annual licenses, plus short-term 72-hour and 24-hour options. An inland trout stamp is required for stream trout fishing.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| walleye | 6 per day | Varies by water body (commonly 15 inches minimum) | Mid-May through mid-February | Regulations vary significantly by lake. Always check current MN DNR regulations. |
| northern-pike | 3 per day | 24 inches minimum (varies by zone) | Mid-May through mid-February | |
| musky | 1 per day | 54 inches minimum | First Saturday in June through Nov 30 | Minnesota has some of the strictest musky regulations in the country. |
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 14 inches minimum | Mid-May through mid-February (catch-and-release other times) | |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 per day | 14 inches minimum | Mid-May through mid-February (catch-and-release other times) | |
| crappie | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| bluegill | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 5 per day | No minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: Varies by water body (commonly 15 inches minimum)
Season: Mid-May through mid-February
Notes: Regulations vary significantly by lake. Always check current MN DNR regulations.
Bag Limit: 3 per day
Size Limit: 24 inches minimum (varies by zone)
Season: Mid-May through mid-February
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 54 inches minimum
Season: First Saturday in June through Nov 30
Notes: Minnesota has some of the strictest musky regulations in the country.
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Mid-May through mid-February (catch-and-release other times)
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Mid-May through mid-February (catch-and-release other times)
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Mille Lacs
lakeSpecies: walleye, smallmouth-bass, northern-pike, yellow-perch, musky
Leech Lake
lakeSpecies: walleye, musky, northern-pike, largemouth-bass, yellow-perch, crappie
Lake of the Woods
lakeSpecies: walleye, northern-pike, smallmouth-bass, crappie, yellow-perch
Lake Vermilion
lakeSpecies: walleye, smallmouth-bass, northern-pike, musky, crappie
Mississippi River
riverSpecies: walleye, smallmouth-bass, channel-catfish, northern-pike, crappie, carp
Rainy Lake
lakeSpecies: walleye, smallmouth-bass, northern-pike, crappie
Gull Lake
lakeSpecies: walleye, largemouth-bass, northern-pike, bluegill, crappie
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| walleye | 17 lbs 8 oz | 1979 | Seagull River |
| northern-pike | 45 lbs 12 oz | 1929 | Basswood Lake |
| musky | 54 lbs | 1957 | Lake Winnibigoshish |
| largemouth-bass | 8 lbs 15 oz | 1961 | Auburn Lake |
| smallmouth-bass | 8 lbs | 1948 | West Battle Lake |
| crappie | 3 lbs 15 oz | 1940 | Vermilion River |
| bluegill | 2 lbs 13 oz | 1984 | Alice Lake |
| channel-catfish | 38 lbs | 1975 | Mississippi River |
| brown-trout | 16 lbs 12 oz | 1985 | Lake Superior |