Regulations tailored to individual waters are an increasingly important management tool. In the Hinckley area, experimental regulations have been shown to increase the proportion of big largemouth bass on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, and to increase the proportion of larger northern pike on Sturgeon Lake. Other regulations may be used to allow more fish to grow to larger sizes, to balance predator/prey populations, or to distribute harvest among more anglers.
The following is a list of lakes in the Hinckley area with experimental or special regulations. All other statewide rules, including the restrictions of 1 walleye over 20" and 1 northern pike over 30" taken daily, apply to these waters.
Please check the main fishing regulations page for complete statewide fishing regulations.
| Lake name | County | Fish species | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chisago | Chisago | Largemouth bass | All 12" and larger must be immediately released |
| South Lindstrom | Chisago | Largemouth bass | All 12" and larger must be immediately released |
| Goose (including Mandall and Rabour) | Chisago | Crappie | Possession limit 5 |
| Goose (including Mandall and Rabour) | Chisago | Walleye | Minimum size limit 17" |
| Green | Chisago | Walleye | Minimum size limit 17" |
| North Center | Chisago | Northern pike | All from 24-36" must be immediately released |
| South Center | Chisago | Northern Pike | All from 24-36" must be immediately released |
| East and West Rush | Chisago | Northern pike | All from 26-40" must be immediately released (NEW) |
| Knife | Kanabec | Northern pike | All from 24-36" must be immediately released |
| Knife | Kanabec | Walleye | All from 18-24" must be immediately released |
| Sturgeon | Pine | Northern pike | All from 24-36" must be immediately released |