When is walleye season in Minnesota?

Inland: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027. Border waters vary by treaty. 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 walleye?

The Minnesota daily bag limit for walleye is 6 / day combined walleye + sauger (only 1 walleye over 20 in). The possession limit is 6 (same as daily; walleye + sauger combined, only 1 walleye over 20 in). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size walleye can you keep in Minnesota?

The Minnesota size rule for walleye is No statewide minimum; lake-specific slot limits apply (Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods). Slot limit: No statewide slot; per-lake protected slots on listed waters.

Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Minnesota?

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

Yes. In Minnesota, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only on most public waters; Live minnows permitted except where listed lakes restrict them; Night fishing restrictions on some border lakes during run.

Do specific Minnesota waters have different walleye rules?

Yes. 5 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Minnesota Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated June 9, 2026

Walleye is Minnesota's state fish and the headline opener every angler waits for. Inland-water season runs from the second Saturday in May through the end of February; border-water seasons vary. The statewide limit is 6 walleye and sauger combined, of which only one walleye may be over 20 inches — a limit unchanged since 1956. (Proposed for March 1, 2027, if adopted in the 2026 rulemaking: a reduced 4 combined, still only 1 walleye over 20 in.) Several flagship lakes (Mille Lacs, Red Lake) carry per-lake slot limits enforced via DNR special regulations.

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Season

Inland: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027. Border waters vary by treaty.

May 9 – Feb 28Inland waters
2026–27 season runs from opener through Feb close

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 6 / day combined walleye + sauger (only 1 walleye over 20 in)
Possession: 6 (same as daily; walleye + sauger combined, only 1 walleye over 20 in)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide minimum; lake-specific slot limits apply (Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods)
Slot: No statewide slot; per-lake protected slots on listed waters

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line only on most public waters
Live minnows permitted except where listed lakes restrict them
Night fishing restrictions on some border lakes during run

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Minnesota waters:

Lake Mille Lacs
Special slot + reduced bag; in-season closures issued by DNR — check before fishing
Red Lake
Tribal + state co-management; slot and bag set annually
Lake of the Woods
Border water with ON; walleye + sauger combined bag, reciprocal licence rules
Rainy Lake
Border water with ON; reciprocal licence required to cross line
Leech Lake
Statewide slot; tribal co-management may adjust in-season

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

Walleye 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 walleye season in Minnesota?: Inland: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027. Border waters vary by treaty. 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 walleye?: The Minnesota daily bag limit for walleye is 6 / day combined walleye + sauger (only 1 walleye over 20 in). The possession limit is 6 (same as daily; walleye + sauger combined, only 1 walleye over 20 in). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size walleye can you keep in Minnesota?: The Minnesota size rule for walleye is No statewide minimum; lake-specific slot limits apply (Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods). Slot limit: No statewide slot; per-lake protected slots on listed waters.
Do you need a license to fish for walleye in Minnesota?: Yes. Minnesota requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye, 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 walleye in Minnesota?: Yes. In Minnesota, walleye fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line only on most public waters; Live minnows permitted except where listed lakes restrict them; Night fishing restrictions on some border lakes during run.
Do specific Minnesota waters have different walleye rules?: Yes. 5 named Minnesota waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye regulation, including Lake Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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