When is largemouth bass season in Minnesota?

Minnesota keeps largemouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Minnesota bag limit for largemouth bass?

The Minnesota daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 6 / day (largemouth + smallmouth combined). The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size largemouth bass can you keep in Minnesota?

The Minnesota size rule for largemouth bass is No statewide minimum size; lake-specific regulations apply.

Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, 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 largemouth bass in Minnesota?

Yes. In Minnesota, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only — no spearing or bow-fishing for bass; Catch-and-release only before the spring opener and on designated catch-and-release waters; Live and artificial bait permitted statewide.

Do specific Minnesota waters have different largemouth bass rules?

Yes. 4 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including North & east of US Highway 53 (Duluth–International Falls), Lake Minnetonka, Mississippi River (pools), and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Minnesota Largemouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Micropterus salmoides

Last updated June 9, 2026

Largemouth bass are open year-round in Minnesota under the continuous bass season the DNR adopted for 2026 — catch-and-release is available every day of the year, with a harvest window that opens on the traditional spring opener. The statewide daily limit of six pools largemouth and smallmouth together, and there's no statewide minimum size.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round (2026 continuous season). Catch-and-release only before the opener (Mar 1 – May 22); harvest May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 statewide (Northeast zone harvest opens May 9). Unlike smallmouth, largemouth stays harvestable through the fall and winter.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 6 / day (largemouth + smallmouth combined)
Possession: 6 in possession

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide minimum size; lake-specific regulations apply

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line only — no spearing or bow-fishing for bass
Catch-and-release only before the spring opener and on designated catch-and-release waters
Live and artificial bait permitted statewide

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:

North & east of US Highway 53 (Duluth–International Falls)
Early bass harvest opens on the 2nd Saturday in May — two weeks before the rest of the state
Lake Minnetonka
Statewide 6-bass combined limit; premier Twin Cities largemouth fishery
Mississippi River (pools)
Statewide 6-bass combined limit; strong largemouth fishery in the backwaters
Lake Vermilion
Statewide rule; largemouth + smallmouth pooled at 6 / day

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.

The largemouth bass rules on this page are sourced from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's official largemouth bass regulation page.

Visit official Minnesota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Largemouth bass 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 largemouth bass season in Minnesota?: Minnesota keeps largemouth bass open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Minnesota bag limit for largemouth bass?: The Minnesota daily bag limit for largemouth bass is 6 / day (largemouth + smallmouth combined). The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size largemouth bass can you keep in Minnesota?: The Minnesota size rule for largemouth bass is No statewide minimum size; lake-specific regulations apply.
Do you need a license to fish for largemouth bass in Minnesota?: Yes. Minnesota requires a valid fishing license to fish for largemouth bass, 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 largemouth bass in Minnesota?: Yes. In Minnesota, largemouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only — no spearing or bow-fishing for bass; Catch-and-release only before the spring opener and on designated catch-and-release waters; Live and artificial bait permitted statewide.
Do specific Minnesota waters have different largemouth bass rules?: Yes. 4 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide largemouth bass regulation, including North & east of US Highway 53 (Duluth–International Falls), Lake Minnetonka, Mississippi River (pools), and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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