2026 regulation year
Minnesota Muskellunge 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Esox masquinongy
Last updated
Muskellunge are Minnesota's apex freshwater predator and the state has invested decades in catch-and-release trophy management. The 54-inch statewide minimum is the strictest of any musky-state — effectively a release-only fishery for the typical angler.
Season
1st Sat in June – Dec 1.
– Statewide
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 1 / day
- Possession
- 1 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 54 in minimum statewide
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only — no spearing of muskellunge
- Released fish must remain in-water; use of a release cradle / oversize net required by ethical convention (not regulation)
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:
Lake Vermilion
Statewide 54 in; trophy lake under DNR's musky-growth programme
Mille Lacs
Statewide 54 in; record-class fishery, catch-and-release norm
Leech Lake
Statewide 54 in; native musky strain
Cass Lake
Statewide 54 in; Leech Lake strain stocking
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.