2026 regulation year
Minnesota Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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Last updated
Minnesota's smallmouth fishery includes a unique catch-and-release window in the spring before the harvest season opens. The combined 6-bass daily bag pools smallmouth and largemouth.
Season
Catch-and-release: 1st Sat in May – mid-June; harvest: mid-June – Feb.
– Catch-and-release window
– Harvest window
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 6 / day (smallmouth + largemouth combined)
- Possession
- 6 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- No statewide minimum; lake-specific slots apply
- Slot
- Per-lake protected slots on designated waters
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line on most waters
- Catch-and-release window: no harvest, no possession
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:
Lake Vermilion
Statewide rule; smallmouth + largemouth pooled at 6 / day
Lake of the Woods
Border water; pooled bag with ON reciprocity
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness regs: no live bait on listed lakes
Mississippi River (upper)
Statewide rule; smallmouth fishery growing strong
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.