MN DNR FISHING INFORMATION
Fishing dates to remember
Dec. 31-March 31: Stream trout in lakes entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Jan. 14-March 31: Stream trout in lakes outside the BWCA
Jan. 1-April 14: Catch-and-release stream trout in southeast streams (Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties)
April 1-Nov. 30: Flathead catfish season
April 15-Oct. 1: Stream trout season in streams (except southeast Minnesota)
April 15-Sept. 14: Stream trout in southeast streams (Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties)
May 13: Minnesota fishing opener for walleye, sauger, northern pike
May 13-26: Smallmouth and largemouth bass catch-and-release season south and west of U.S. Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls (except Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County)
May 13-Feb. 25: Smallmouth and largemouth bass season north and east of U.S. Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
May 13-Oct. 1: Lake trout summer season
May 13-Oct. 31: Stream trout in lakes
May 27-Feb. 25: Largemouth bass season south and west of U.S. Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls (except Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County)
May 27-Sept. 10: Smallmouth bass season south and west of U.S. Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls (except Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County)
June 3-Dec. 1: Muskellunge season
Get the 2017 fishing regulations
The 2017 Minnesota Fishing Regulations are online.
As always, in addition to learning the regulations overall, make sure to check for special fishing regulations that apply to individual waters where you’re fishing. For lakes, you can use LakeFinder or LakeFinder Mobile to search for special regulations.
Remember to buy your 2017 fishing license
Fishing licenses for 2017 now are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense and by telephone at 888-665-4236. All 2017 fishing licenses became effective March 1 and 2016 licenses are expired.
Customers who purchase online via a smartphone won’t receive a conventional paper license. Instead, they’ll receive a text message or email that serves as proof of a valid fish or game license to state conservation officers. A printed copy of the text or email also can serve as proof of a valid license.