Minnesota fisheries

Minnesota fishing regulations recognize two types of shelters: portable and nonportable.

A portable shelter is one that collapses, folds or is disassembled for transportation. Portable shelters only need licenses and identification when left unattended, which is defined as all occupants being more than 200 feet away. In contrast, all nonportable ice shelters must be licensed. Wheeled fish houses are not considered portable and must be licensed. Get all the details you need on the DNR ice shelter page.

As you pack those tip-ups or spears in search of northern pike, a reminder: Northern pike zone regulations went into effect in May 2018.

There are three distinct northern pike zones in the north-central, northeastern and southern parts of the state. The northern pike regulations apply to inland waters but do not affect border waters or individual lakes, rivers and streams that have their own special regulations for northern pike. Special pike regulations are in place on about 95 waters and always take precedence over statewide regulations. You can find specific regulation details on the DNR’s northern pike page.

The DNR has up to 200 paid summer internships in areas such as fisheries, wildlife, forestry, parks and more.

Help us create a healthy, sustainable, livable Minnesota for future generations! This is your golden opportunity to get hands-on experience in the field of natural resources. Apply now through Friday, Jan. 31.

You don’t need a Minnesota walleye stamp to fish for or keep walleye, but you can buy one to help support walleye stocking.

The Minnesota walleye stamp helps pay for walleye that are stocked into lakes that lack naturally reproducing walleye populations. Anyone can buy a walleye stamp any time of the year, even if they don’t have a fishing license. Dollars from the $5 walleye stamp validation flow into a dedicated account for walleye stocking. For $0.75 more, the DNR will mail you the actual walleye stamp as a collector’s item.