Fishing tournaments

Fishing contests are popular in Minnesota and each year the DNR issues nearly 400 permits to conduct them.

The DNR regulates fishing contests to protect fish and fish habitat, to restrict activity during high use periods and for the safety of the participants. Regulating contests helps reduce the potential for conflicts with other water recreation activities at public access sites and on the water.

Limiting the number of contests that can take place each month on any water body also serves to more evenly distribute contests across many lakes and rivers.

Permit fees are:

  • $70 for small contests (50 or fewer boats)
  • $225 for large contests (more than 50 boats)
  • $135 for ice fishing contests

For contests with off-site weigh-ins:

  • $280 for a small contest
  • $560 for a large contest.
Current tournaments & online applications
  • Online Application (Note: Online payment is not available)
  • Current 2023 tournament list
  • 2022 tournament list
    • Only permitted tournaments are listed. There is a lag between permit issuance and publication on this list. For the most up to date information on permitted or pending events, use the regional fisheries office list below to contact the appropriate office.
      Regional map of fishing tournament contacts

      Region 1 (Northwest)

      Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
      Regional fisheries manager
      Attn: Whitney Honstead
      [email protected]
      2115 Birchmonth Beach Road NE
      Bemidji, MN 56601
      (218)-308-2623

      Region 2 (Northeast)

      Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
      Regional fisheries manager
      Attn: Ruth Zaleski
      [email protected]
      1601 Minnesota Drive
      Brainerd, MN 56401
      (218)-203-4342

      Region 3 (Central, including Mille Lacs Lake)

      Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
      Regional fisheries manager
      Attn: Rosa Garner
      [email protected]
      1200 Warner Road
      St. Paul, MN 55106
      (651)-259-5769

      Region 4 (South)

      Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
      Regional fisheries manager
      Attn: Jack Lauer
      [email protected]
      21371 State Highway 15
      New Ulm, MN 56073
      (507)-233-1215

Requirements, instructions & applications