When is lake trout season in Minnesota?

Inland summer May 9 – Sep 30; inland winter Jan 17 – Mar 31 (Jan 1 – Mar 31 within the BWCAW). Lake Superior Dec 1 – early Oct. Those are the 2026 Minnesota dates; always confirm against Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the Minnesota bag limit for lake trout?

The Minnesota daily bag limit for lake trout is 2 / day (inland); 3 / day (Lake Superior). The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size lake trout can you keep in Minnesota?

The Minnesota size rule for lake trout is No statewide minimum; lake-specific minimums on some inland lakes (e.g. Caribou Lake 20 in, possession 1).

Do you need a license to fish for lake trout in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Minnesota license — compare resident and non-resident Minnesota fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for lake trout in Minnesota?

Yes. In Minnesota, lake trout fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line, trolling, or downrigger legal; No spearing of lake trout in inland waters.

Do specific Minnesota waters have different lake trout rules?

Yes. 4 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide lake trout regulation, including Lake Superior (MN waters), Caribou Lake (Itasca), Saganaga Lake (BWCAW), and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Minnesota Lake trout 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated June 9, 2026

Lake trout in Minnesota are split between inland lakes (mostly Boundary-Waters-area) and Lake Superior. Inland lake trout have a summer season (May 9 – Sep 30) and a separate winter season (Jan – Mar); Lake Superior runs Dec 1 through early October, closing for the late-fall spawning period. Trolling and deep-water jigging are the dominant methods.

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Season

Inland summer May 9 – Sep 30; inland winter Jan 17 – Mar 31 (Jan 1 – Mar 31 within the BWCAW). Lake Superior Dec 1 – early Oct.

May 9 – Sep 30Inland lakes (summer)
Jan 17 – Mar 31Inland lakes (winter, outside BWCAW)

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 2 / day (inland); 3 / day (Lake Superior)
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide minimum; lake-specific minimums on some inland lakes (e.g. Caribou Lake 20 in, possession 1)

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line, trolling, or downrigger legal
No spearing of lake trout in inland waters

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:

Lake Superior (MN waters)
Season Dec 1 – early Oct; 3 / day
Caribou Lake (Itasca)
20 in minimum size, possession limit 1 — a stocked inland lake-trout fishery outside the Lake Superior basin
Saganaga Lake (BWCAW)
Wilderness rules + statewide season; popular ice-out destination
Little Trout Lake (St. Louis)
Lake trout: catch-and-release only

Official source

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Minnesotafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Minnesota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Lake trout closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Minnesota trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is lake trout season in Minnesota?: Inland summer May 9 – Sep 30; inland winter Jan 17 – Mar 31 (Jan 1 – Mar 31 within the BWCAW). Lake Superior Dec 1 – early Oct. Those are the 2026 Minnesota dates; always confirm against Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Minnesota bag limit for lake trout?: The Minnesota daily bag limit for lake trout is 2 / day (inland); 3 / day (Lake Superior). The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size lake trout can you keep in Minnesota?: The Minnesota size rule for lake trout is No statewide minimum; lake-specific minimums on some inland lakes (e.g. Caribou Lake 20 in, possession 1).
Do you need a license to fish for lake trout in Minnesota?: Yes. Minnesota requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Minnesota license — compare resident and non-resident Minnesota fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for lake trout in Minnesota?: Yes. In Minnesota, lake trout fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line, trolling, or downrigger legal; No spearing of lake trout in inland waters.
Do specific Minnesota waters have different lake trout rules?: Yes. 4 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide lake trout regulation, including Lake Superior (MN waters), Caribou Lake (Itasca), Saganaga Lake (BWCAW), and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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