2026 regulation year
Minnesota Northern pike 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Esox lucius
Last updated
Minnesota manages northern pike with three zoned rule sets — North, Central, and South — each with its own slot and bag. The Central zone (where most metro anglers fish) carries a 22–26 in protected slot that's central to lake-trout-class growth recovery.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round on most waters; some border lakes carry winter closures.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- Zone-based: North 10 / day (all under 22 in or one over 26 in); Central 2 / day; South 2 / day
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- Zone slot limits: 22–26 in protected slot (Central)
- Slot
- Central 22–26 in protected; release any pike inside slot
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line, spear (winter darkhouse), or bow-fishing legal in most waters
- Live-bait restrictions on some pike-only lakes
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:
Lake Vermilion
Central-zone slot; 22–26 in protected
Mille Lacs
Central-zone slot applies alongside walleye special regs
Cass Lake
Central-zone slot; 22–26 in protected
Lake of the Woods
Border water; ON reciprocity rules apply on pike
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.