Regulated trapping plays an important role in the ecology and conservation of Minnesota’s furbearers – mammals harvested primarily for their fur.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages and regulates trapping to ensure trapping activities are safe, efficient and practical. Trapping is allowed only for abundant wildlife and is conducted as humanely as possible.
- When to trap
- Scroll table right to see more »
10/28/23 - 05/15/24 Beaver North furbearer zone 10/28/23 - 05/15/24 Beaver South furbearer zone 09/14/24 - 02/28/25 Rabbit, Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare Statewide 09/14/24 - 02/28/25 Rabbit, Jack Statewide 09/14/24 - 02/28/25 Squirrel, Gray & Fox Statewide 10/19/24 - 03/16/25 Badger North furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Fox, Gray & Red North furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Fox, Gray & Red South furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Opossum North furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Opossum South furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Raccoon North furbearer zone 10/19/24 - 03/15/25 Raccoon South furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 03/16/25 Badger South furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 05/15/25 Beaver North furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 02/28/25 Mink North furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 02/28/25 Mink South furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 02/28/25 Muskrat North furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 02/28/25 Muskrat South furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 01/19/25 Otter North furbearer zone 10/26/24 - 01/19/25 Otter South furbearer zone 11/02/24 - 05/15/25 Beaver South furbearer zone 12/14/24 - 01/19/25 Bobcat North of I-94 and U.S. Highway 10 12/14/24 - 12/22/24 Fisher North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10 12/21/24 - 12/29/24 Pine Marten North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10 09/13/25 - 02/28/26 Rabbit, Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare Statewide 09/13/25 - 02/28/26 Rabbit, Jack Statewide 09/20/25 - 02/28/26 Squirrel, Gray & Fox Statewide 10/18/25 - 03/15/26 Badger North furbearer zone 10/18/25 - 03/15/26 Fox, Gray & Red North furbearer zone 10/18/25 - 03/15/26 Opossum North furbearer zone 10/18/25 - 03/15/26 Raccoon North furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 03/15/26 Badger South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 05/15/26 Beaver North furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 03/15/26 Fox, Gray & Red South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 02/28/26 Mink North furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 02/28/26 Mink South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 02/28/26 Muskrat North furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 02/28/26 Muskrat South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 03/15/26 Opossum South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 01/18/26 Otter North furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 01/18/26 Otter South furbearer zone 10/25/25 - 03/15/26 Raccoon South furbearer zone 11/01/25 - 05/15/26 Beaver South furbearer zone 12/13/25 - 12/21/25 Fisher North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10 12/20/25 - 01/17/26 Bobcat North of I-94 and U.S. Highway 10 12/20/25 - 12/28/25 Pine Marten North of I-94 & U.S. Highway 10 - Where to trap
You can trap on many types of public land including state Wildlife Management Areas and county, state and national forests. You can trap private land too if you have permission from the landowner or if it is forested land where permission is not necessary unless posted closed to hunting. Use the DNR Recreation Compassto view the location of various types of public hunting land. To learn about trapping on private land, learn about trespassing.
- How to trap
Trapping is highly regulated and techniques vary by species. Most people learn how to trap by attending a trapper education course. In fact, persons born after Dec. 31, 1989, who have not been issued a trapping license in a previous license year may not obtain a trapping license without a trapper education certificate. The Minnesota Trappers Association conducts trapper education courses statewide, free of charge to the participants, and issue certificates that satisfy this requirement.
Contact the MTA at www.mntrappers.org for class information. These courses include a mandatory field training portion that must be completed before certification. Please plan to take the course well in advance of the fur trapping season.
- Gear
You will learn what gear you need during your trapper education course.
- What's important to know
- Trapping is highly regulated. Click here to view current trapping regulations.
- Helpful information