2026 regulation year
Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2026 — License Fees, Seasons, Bag Limits
Last updated
Minnesota's licence year runs March 1 through the last day of February. Residents under 16 and 90 or older fish free — there is no discounted senior fishing licence. Walleye/sauger share a combined limit, and northern pike rules differ by zone and by lake; the statewide booklet plus the per-lake special-regulation list are both authoritative.
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License fees
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual | $25.00 | |
| Resident married couple (combination) | $40.00 | |
| Resident 24-hour | $12.00 | |
| Resident 72-hour | $14.00 | |
| Resident 3-year | $71.00 | |
| Resident lifetime angling (age 16–50) | $574.00 |
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual | $51.00 | |
| Non-resident family (combination annual) | $68.00 | |
| Non-resident 24-hour | $14.00 | |
| Non-resident 72-hour | $36.00 | |
| Non-resident 7-day | $43.00 |
Buy directly from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Fees may include processing surcharges at point of sale.
Top species — season, bag, size
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| WalleyeCompare across states → | Inland: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 (statewide). Border waters vary. | 6 / day combined walleye + sauger (only 1 walleye over 20 in) | No statewide minimum; lake-specific slot limits apply (Mille Lacs, Red Lake, etc.) |
| Northern pikeCompare across states → | May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 (inland angling) | Zone-based: Northeast 2/day; North-Central 10/day; Southern 2/day | NE: release 30–40 in (1 over 40 ok); N-Central: release 22–26 in (max 2 over 26); Southern: 24 in minimum |
| MuskellungeCompare across states → | June 6 – Nov 30 | 1 / day | 54 in minimum statewide |
| Smallmouth bassCompare across states → | Open year-round (2026 continuous season); harvest opens 2nd Sat in May | 6 / day (smallmouth + largemouth combined) | No statewide minimum; lake-specific slots apply |
| Largemouth bassCompare across states → | Open year-round (2026 continuous season); harvest opens 2nd Sat in May | 6 / day (largemouth + smallmouth combined) | No statewide minimum size |
| Lake troutCompare across states → | Inland summer May 9 – Sep 30 (winter Jan–Mar). Lake Superior Dec 1 – early Oct. | 2 / day (inland), 3 / day (Lake Superior) | No statewide minimum; lake-specific minimums on some inland lakes (e.g. Caribou Lake 20 in) |
| Black crappieCompare across states → | Open year-round (no closed season) | 10 / day | No statewide minimum |
| Sunfish (bluegill) | Open year-round (no closed season) | 20 / day (reduced to 10 or 5 on Quality Sunfish lakes) | No statewide minimum |
Notable water-body special regulations
Walleye: special slot + reduced bag, in-season closures by DNR
Walleye: combined bag with sauger; ON border-rule applies
Border water with ON: reciprocal licence required for crossing
Wilderness regs: no live bait restrictions, lead-tackle ban on some lakes
Trophy musky water; statewide musky 54 in minimum applies; walleye + smallmouth statewide rules
Trophy walleye fishery; protected-slot harvest may apply during recovery years — verify current rule at MN DNR
Walleye recovery fishery; coordinated rules with Red Lake Nation tribal water on the north side; non-tribal anglers fish southern portion only
St. Croix River (MN/WI boundary)
Boundary water with WI; reciprocal-licence arrangement honoured; muskie + smallmouth + walleye; National Scenic Riverway designation on upper river
Separate Lake Superior regs booklet; lake trout designated harvest zones; trout / salmon stamp required
North Shore steelhead + brook trout water; designated fly-fishing / catch-and-release stretches in upper river
Mississippi River headwaters chain (Chippewa National Forest, Cass + Itasca counties); MN DNR walleye special-regulation lake — protected slot has been adjusted in recovery years (commonly 18–23 in protected, one over 23 in allowed); statewide muskie 54 in minimum applies; verify current slot at MN DNR before launching
Mississippi River — Pool 4 (Lake Pepin, MN/WI boundary)
MN/WI boundary water — reciprocal-licence arrangement honoured for residents of either state; walleye + sauger combined-bag rule applies; designated lake sturgeon special season (Sep + winter spear windows with quota harvest tags via lottery); freshwater drum + catfish statewide
Chippewa National Forest walleye + muskie lake (Cass County); DNR-managed special-regulation walleye fishery — protected-slot windows applied in recovery cycles; Leech Lake Band tribal reciprocal-licence arrangement on portions of the reservation; statewide muskie 54 in minimum applies
Lake Kabetogama (Voyageurs National Park)
Voyageurs NP overlay (NPS) layered on MN DNR rules — walleye + smallmouth + northern pike statewide bag/slot apply, plus park boat-launch + camping permit requirements; portions border Rainy Lake / Namakan with reciprocal-licence implications; no live-bait restrictions in some adjacent BWCAW-style waters
MN DNR special-regulation northern pike water — the Gull Lake Chain (connected Gull, Upper Gull, Margaret, Ray, Love, Nisswa, Roy, and Round lakes, Crow Wing + Cass counties) is one of central Minnesota's premier resort + walleye + muskie + bass destinations. Northern pike: all from 30–40 in must be immediately released, possession limit 2, only 1 over 40 in (a trophy-pike protected slot stricter than the statewide North-zone rule). Statewide muskie 54 in minimum + walleye + bass rules otherwise apply.
MN DNR special-regulation panfish water — the Whitefish Chain (connected Cross Lake Reservoir, Lower Hay, Arrowhead, Bertha, Clamshell, Big Trout, Pig, Island-Loon, Rush-Hen, Daggett, and Little Pine lakes, Crow Wing County) is a major Brainerd-lakes-area chain and resort + muskie + walleye destination. Crappie: daily limit 5. Sunfish: daily limit 5 (reduced from the statewide 10) to protect quality panfish size structure.
MN DNR special-regulation northern pike + sunfish water inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Lake County, MN/Ontario border). Northern pike: all from 30–40 in must be immediately released, possession limit 2, only 1 over 40 in; season is continuous; special regulations apply only to the Minnesota waters of Basswood Lake. Sunfish: daily limit 5. Wilderness regulations also apply (live-bait and motor restrictions on connected waters).
Big Mantrap Lake (Park Rapids)
MN DNR special-regulation pike + crappie water — a clear, deep Hubbard County lake near Park Rapids. Northern pike: all from 24–36 in must be immediately released, possession limit 3, only 1 over 36 in. Crappie: daily limit 5 (reduced from the statewide 10) to protect quality panfish.
MN DNR special-regulation trophy largemouth bass water (Chisago County, Twin Cities exurban chain). Largemouth bass: all bass 12 in and larger must be immediately released — effectively a catch-and-release trophy-bass fishery, far stricter than the statewide 6-bass combined harvest. Other species follow statewide rules.
MN DNR special-regulation sunfish water — a large, deep Itasca County lake at Grand Rapids with a walleye + bass + muskie fishery. Sunfish: daily limit 5 (reduced from the statewide 20) under the DNR Quality Sunfish program to rebuild large bluegill. Statewide walleye, bass, and 54 in muskie rules otherwise apply.
MN DNR special-regulation water — La Salle Lake (Hubbard County, La Salle Lake State Recreation Area) is the deepest natural lake in Minnesota at 213 ft. Largemouth and smallmouth bass: catch-and-release only. Northern pike: possession limit 1. Walleye: possession limit 2. Black crappie + sunfish: possession limit 5 each. Yellow perch: possession limit 10.
MN DNR special-regulation pike + sunfish water — the Turtle River chain (connected Turtle River Lake, Little Turtle, Big Turtle, Movil, Beltrami, and Fox lakes plus the Turtle River, Beltrami County). Northern pike: all from 22–30 in must be immediately released, possession limit 10, only 1 over 30 in (a quality-pike protected slot). Sunfish: daily limit 5.
MN DNR special-regulation panfish water — a popular Crow Wing County lake near Brainerd. Crappie: daily limit 5. Sunfish: daily limit 5 (both reduced from the statewide limits) to protect quality panfish size structure. Statewide walleye + bass + pike rules otherwise apply.
MN DNR special-regulation sunfish water — the Sauk River Chain (from Highway 23 downstream to the Cold Spring Dam, including Becker, Bolfing, Cedar Island, Great Northern, Horseshoe, Knaus, Krays, Schneider, and Zumwalde lakes, Stearns County). Sunfish: daily limit 10 (reduced from the statewide 20) under the DNR Quality Sunfish program.
MN DNR special-regulation northern pike water — a clear Cass County lake in the Longville-area chain. Northern pike: all from 24–36 in must be immediately released, possession limit 3, only 1 over 36 in (a quality-pike protected slot stricter than the statewide North-zone rule). Statewide walleye + bass + muskie rules otherwise apply.
MN DNR special-regulation pike + walleye water (Kanabec County, near Mora). Northern pike: all from 24–36 in must be immediately released, possession limit 3, only 1 over 36 in. Walleye: all from 18–24 in must be immediately released, only 1 over 24 in allowed in possession (a stable protected slot — distinct from the annually-adjusted Mille Lacs / Red Lake walleye rules).
Lake Osakis (including Little Osakis)
MN DNR special-regulation sunfish + walleye water — a renowned Douglas + Todd County walleye + panfish lake. Sunfish: daily limit 10 (reduced from the statewide 20) under the DNR Quality Sunfish program. Walleye: 15 in minimum size, only 1 over 20 in allowed in possession (a stable size limit).
MN DNR special-regulation panfish water — a popular Scott County Twin Cities metro lake. Crappie: daily limit 5. Sunfish: daily limit 5 (both reduced from the statewide limits) to protect quality panfish size structure.
MN DNR special-regulation panfish water — a large Hennepin County lake in the western Twin Cities metro (Plymouth). Crappie: daily limit 5. Sunfish: daily limit 5 (both reduced from the statewide limits) to protect quality panfish.
MN DNR special-regulation trophy largemouth bass water — a Carver County lake in the Twin Cities metro (Chanhassen). Largemouth bass: catch-and-release only. Other species follow statewide rules.
MN DNR special-regulation trophy largemouth bass water — an Anoka County lake in the northern Twin Cities metro (Andover / Coon Rapids). Largemouth bass: catch-and-release only. Other species follow statewide rules.
MN DNR special-regulation smallmouth bass water — an Otter Tail County lake in west-central Minnesota's lakes region. Smallmouth bass: all from 14–20 in must be immediately released, only 1 over 20 in allowed in possession (a quality-bass protected slot).
MN DNR special-regulation panfish + walleye water — South and North Lida lakes incl. Mud Lake (Otter Tail County), a noted resort + walleye + panfish chain near Pelican Rapids. Crappie: 11 in minimum size. Sunfish: daily limit 10. Walleye: all from 17–26 in must be immediately released, only 1 over 26 in allowed in possession.
MN DNR special-regulation panfish + walleye water — an Otter Tail County lake near Perham. Sunfish: daily limit 10. Crappie: daily limit 5. Walleye: all from 18–26 in must be immediately released, only 1 over 26 in allowed in possession.
MN DNR special-regulation crappie water — an Otter Tail County resort lake at Battle Lake, part of the popular west-central Minnesota lakes region. Crappie: daily limit 5 (reduced from the statewide 10) to protect quality crappie. Statewide walleye + bass + pike rules otherwise apply.
Annie Battle Lake (Glendalough State Park)
MN DNR special-regulation heritage fishery — Annie Battle Lake (incl. the inlet to Molly Stark Lake and outlet to Blanche Lake) inside Glendalough State Park, Otter Tail County. Use of gas and electric motors, powered augers, and other electronic fish-finding devices is prohibited. Northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass: catch-and-release only. Sunfish: daily limit 5. Crappie: possession limit 5 — a managed quiet-water trophy panfish + bass fishery.
Rush Lake (Chisago — East and West)
MN DNR special-regulation northern pike water — East and West Rush lakes in Chisago County. Northern pike: all from 26–40 in must be immediately released, possession limit 3, only 1 over 40 in (a trophy-pike protected slot). Statewide walleye + bass rules otherwise apply.
MN DNR special-regulation lake trout water — a deep, cold Itasca County lake stocked with lake trout. Lake trout: 20 in minimum size, possession limit 1. One of the limited inland stream/lake-trout fisheries outside the Lake Superior basin.
MN DNR special-regulation pike + crappie water — a Wright County lake near Annandale in the Twin Cities exurbs. Northern pike: all from 24–36 in must be immediately released, possession limit 3, only 1 over 36 in. Crappie: daily limit 5.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fishing license to fish in Minnesota?
- Yes. Minnesota requires residents and non-residents alike to hold a valid fishing license, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. Buy directly from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; resident and non-resident fees are listed in the tables above.
- How much is a fishing license in Minnesota?
- Resident fees range from $12.00 (resident 24-hour) to $574.00 (resident lifetime angling (age 16–50)); Non-resident fees range from $14.00 (non-resident 24-hour) to $68.00 (non-resident family (combination annual)). The full breakdown — annual, multi-day, senior, and lifetime options — is in the license-fee tables above, and you can compare Minnesota against every other state on the license-fee comparator.
- What fish can you catch in Minnesota?
- Minnesota anglers most commonly target Walleye, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Lake trout, and others. Each species sets its own season, daily bag, and size or slot limit — compare them in the species table above, or open a species page for the full 2026 rule.
- When does fishing season open in Minnesota?
- It depends on the species — Minnesota sets a separate season for each. Warmwater fish like bass, catfish, and panfish are open year-round in most of the state, while trout, walleye, salmon, and other cold-water or migratory species have dated seasons. The season column in the table above shows each one, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources can shift dates by emergency order.
- Are there special fishing rules on specific Minnesota waters?
- Yes. 39 named Minnesota waters carry regulations that differ from the statewide rule, including Lake Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake / Namakan, and 36 more. See the notable water-body special regulations above for the exact rule on each.
Official source
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the authoritative source for Minnesota fishing regulations. Always verify rules before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override published booklets.
Visit official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Minnesota trip during the active season.