News release: DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

April 18, 2023


Get your fishing questions answered on DNR fishing webpage

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a fishing page to help answer angler questions. The page answers 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 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.

The DNR fishing page also includes the 2023 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet in English, Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Spanish, plus an online version of the regulations in English that lets users browse the regulations by choosing topics. People can request that a free copy of the regulation booklet in all the available languages be mailed to them by calling the DNR’s Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or by emailing [email protected], and print versions in English are available where DNR licenses are sold.

DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures
To protect spawning fish, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters. The closings are routine and based on local conditions.

Closings occur each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations to fishing only where habitat is limited and fish are very concentrated in one location, such as a river or the bay of a lake where fish are congregated during spawning. 

Portions of waters closed to fishing also are posted at access sites and in other visible areas. Anglers may fish in areas that are not posted.

DNR webinars cover peregrine falcons, coldwater fish hatcheries
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that feature discussions about peregrine falcons and coldwater fish hatcheries.

The first webinar is Wednesday, April 19. Jackie Fallon, a wildlife biologist, master falconer, and educator for more than 30 years, will discuss what is being done in Minnesota to help peregrine falcons and what we have discovered about them after 40 years of research.

The second is Wednesday, April 26. Minnesota has a large system of coldwater hatcheries that provide 1.7 million trout each year for stocking into 200 lakes and 100 streams throughout the state. Meredith Warmuth, DNR fish hatchery specialist, will share information on the components of the hatchery system, how the hatcheries benefit trout fishing in Minnesota, and how you can tour these facilities.

The webinars are part of the DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free, but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website.