Fishing seasons

For a complete list of fishing seasons please check the fishing regulations.

Fishing licenses are effective from March 1 to the last day of February of the following year. A fishing license for the current 2023-24 license year is effective until Feb. 29, 2024.

Seasons for waters entirely within Minnesota

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05/14/22 - 02/26/23Northern pikeMinnesota waters
05/14/22 - 02/26/23SaugerMinnesota waters
05/14/22 - 02/26/23WalleyeMinnesota waters
12/31/22 - 03/31/23Lake and Stream Trout - Winter (entirely within the BWCA) 
03/01/23 - 02/29/24BullheadMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24Burbot (eelpout)Minnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24Channel catfishMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24Cisco (tullibee), whitefishMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24CrappieMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24GarMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24OtherMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24PerchMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24Rock bassMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24SmeltMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24SunfishMinnesota waters
03/01/23 - 02/29/24White bassMinnesota waters
04/01/23 - 11/30/23Flathead catfishMinnesota waters
05/13/23 - 09/30/23Lake troutMinnesota waters
05/13/23 - 02/25/24Largemouth bassNortheastern Minnesota
05/13/23 - 05/26/23Largemouth bass - catch-and-releaseStatewide except the northeast
05/13/23 - 02/25/24Northern pikeMinnesota waters
05/13/23 - 02/25/24SaugerMinnesota waters
05/13/23 - 02/25/24Smallmouth bassNortheastern Minnesota
05/13/23 - 05/26/23Smallmouth bass - catch-and-releaseStatewide except the northeast
05/13/23 - 02/25/24WalleyeMinnesota waters
05/27/23 - 02/25/24Largemouth bassStatewide except the northeast
05/27/23 - 09/10/23Smallmouth bassStatewide except the northeast
06/03/23 - 12/01/23MuskellungeMinnesota waters
06/16/23 - 04/14/24Sturgeon - catch-and-releaseMinnesota waters
09/11/23 - 02/25/24Smallmouth bass - catch-and-releaseStatewide except the northeast
12/30/23 - 03/31/24Lake troutLakes entirely within the BWCA
01/13/24 - 03/31/24Lake troutLakes partially or completely outside the BWCA