Minnesota fisheries

If you might want to keep northern pike, please familiarize yourself with the regulations and be prepared to measure the fish. Minnesota has three northern pike zones that apply to inland waters and reflect the differing characteristics of pike populations across the state:

• North-central: Limit of 10 northern pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; all fish 22 to 26 inches must be released.
• Northeast: Two northern pike; anglers must release all fish 30 to 40 inches, with only one fish over 40 inches allowed in possession.
• South: Two northern pike; minimum size 24 inches.

Throughout the state, special regulations that cover individual lakes, rivers and streams remain in effect and take precedence over the zone regulations. The northern pike zone regulations do not apply to border waters. Find more details on the DNR northern pike page.

Remember to closely check the fishing regulations booklet and signs at water accesses for new sunfish limits that are in effect.

The new regulations went into effect March 1 on 94 waters. Lower limits on specific waters are part of an initiative to protect and increase sunfish sizes. These changes are in response to angler-driven concerns over the declining sizes of sunfish in Minnesota. Find more infromation on the DNR sunfish page.

Weather, currents, snow cover and springs can cause ice conditions to change rapidly and vary widely, even on the same body of water and even in a short period of time.

In many parts of Minnesota, it’s easy to see where other people have accessed the ice — whether it’s footprints, snowmobile tracks or a post on social media. But never assume you’re good to go just because someone headed out before you. Find more ice safety information on the DNR ice safety page.

The DNR made a change in 2021 that brings us into compliance with laws and helps prevent licenses going to those with violations or unpaid fines.

The change requires both spouses who purchase a married combination license to provide and verify their DNR customer records for these licenses. If purchasing in person, both spouses must be present. Find more details on the DNR married combination license page.

As you prepare for ice fishing, make sure to read up on ice shelter licenses.

Minnesota fishing regulations recognize two types of shelters: portable and nonportable. Find out when you need a license and when you don’t on the DNR ice shelter page.

Ice anglers fishing Lake Vermilion this winter may be asked to participate in a winter creel survey.

Creel clerks from the DNR will be traveling the lake on foot or on snowmobile to interview ice anglers about their harvest through Feb. 27. Read more about the survey, what creel clerks ask, and why they ask for this information, in the DNR news release.

The DNR fishing page helps answer questions like what species can I fish for? What kind of bait is legal? What kind of fish can I keep? The page is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish. Users will find a links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the new StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

Trout anglers can find more information on the DNR trout fishing page.

Anglers will find information about fishing opportunities in all the trout fishing regions of Minnesota, as well as a new StreamFinder tool, modeled after the DNR LakeFinder.