Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota
State, United States. Authority : Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$71Resident Individual Angling 3-year
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 137.2 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 137.2 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating Minnow Crankbaits 9.8 cm, Pack of 5For : northern pike, european perch, largemouth bass · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Box of 188 Fishing AccessoriesFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · feeder fishing
€32.90£17.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
statewide opener
Catch-and-release only March 1 - May 22
Catch-and-release only March 1 - May 22 and Sept. 14, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027
Catch-and-release only March 1 - May 8
Southeast Minnesota differs (catch-and-release Jan 1 - Apr 10 and Sep 15 - Oct 15, closed Oct 16 - Dec 31)
5 combined
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–140 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Northern pike - Southern Zone1 2 in possession | 61 cm | |
| Muskellunge1 1 in possession | 137.2 cm | |
| Tiger muskellunge1 1 in possession | 101.6 cm | |
| Walleye1 No statewide minimum; only 1 walleye over 20 in (50.8 cm) in possession | not published | |
| Black bass1 No statewide minimum size | not published |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 137.2 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger (combined)1 possession limit (daily = possession); only 1 walleye over 20 in | 6 per day |
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass (combined)1 possession limit | 6 per day |
| Northern pike - Northeast Zone1 only 1 over 40 in; 30-40 in must be released | 2 per day |
| Northern pike - North-central Zone1 not more than 2 over 26 in; 22-26 in must be released | 10 per day |
| Northern pike - Southern Zone1 minimum 24 in | 2 per day |
| Crappie1 | 10 per day |
| Sunfish1 | 20 per day |
| Stream trout (streams)1 only 1 over 16 in | 5 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Adult Individual Angling License (ages 18-89)1 | annual (March 1, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027) | US$25 |
| Resident Individual Angling (18-89)1 | annual | US$25 |
| Resident Individual Angling 24-hour1 no trout/salmon stamp required | 1-day | US$12 |
| Resident Individual Angling 72-hour1 no trout/salmon stamp required | 3-day | US$14 |
| Resident Individual Angling 3-year1 | 3-year | US$71 |
| Resident Youth Individual Angling (16-17)1 | annual | US$5 |
| Resident Conservation Angling (1/2 bag limits)1 | annual | US$17 |
| Nonresident Individual Angling (18+)1 includes $5 surcharge | annual | US$51 |
| Nonresident Individual Angling 24-hour1 | 1-day | US$14 |
| Nonresident Individual Angling 72-hour1 | 3-day | US$36 |
| Nonresident Individual Angling 7-Day1 | 7-day | US$43 |
| Nonresident Youth Individual Angling (16-17)1 | annual | US$5 |
| Nonresident Combination Annual Family1 | annual | US$68 |
| Nonresident Married Couple 14-Day1 | 14-day | US$54 |
| Trout/Salmon Stamp (anglers 18-64, trout waters / Lake Superior)1 | annual | US$10 |
| Walleye Stamp (voluntary)1 | annual | US$5 |
- Ages and exemptions1
- Residents younger than 16 or 90 and older do not need a license. Nonresidents under 16 do not need a license if a parent or guardian is licensed. Trout/salmon stamp not required under 18, 65+, or with a 24/72-hour license.
Good to know
Fishing opener (walleye, sauger, northern pike) May 9, 2026. Three northern pike zones with different slot/protected-length rules. Limits are possession limits. Bass catch-and-release season before the harvest opener. Trout/salmon stamp $10 required on designated trout waters and Lake Superior. Regulations booklet effective March 1, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027 (updated 6.4.26).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- pages HTML du DNR Minnesota (dnr.state.mn.us) en 403 : tout vient du livret PDF officiel files.dnr.state.mn.us
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Mille Lacs Lake lake, Mille Lacs County
Walleye View on the map - Leech Lake lake, Cass County
Walleye View on the map - Lake Winnibigoshish lake, Cass County
Walleye View on the map - Lake Vermilion lake, St. Louis County
Walleye View on the map - Lake of the Woods lake, Lake of the Woods County
Walleye View on the map - Rainy Lake lake, St. Louis County
Walleye View on the map - Kabetogama Lake lake, St. Louis County
Walleye View on the map - Upper Red Lake lake, Beltrami County
Walleye View on the map - Cass Lake lake, Beltrami County
Walleye View on the map - Lake Pepin lake, Goodhue County
Walleye View on the map - Lake Como lake, Ramsey County
Bluegill, Common carp, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Bennett Lake lake, Ramsey County
Bluegill, Common carp, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Powers Lake lake, Washington County
Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Beaver Lake lake, Ramsey County
Bluegill, Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike View on the map - Wirth Lake lake, Hennepin County
Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Northern pike View on the map - Snelling Lake lake, Hennepin County
Bluegill, Largemouth bass, Northern pike View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Minnesota in 2026?
The “Resident Individual Angling 3-year” licence costs US$71 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Minnesota?
Muskellunge: 137.2 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations (effective March 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027), Minnesota DNR (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.