Stream trout fishing opens statewide April 11
Minnesota’s popular stream trout season opens Saturday, April 11, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open on April 11 for Lake Superior and its tributary streams.
Trout anglers can find information on Minnesota’s trout streams on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ website. Anglers will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota’s six trout fishing regions. Anglers can also access StreamFinder, which provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout the state. Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams.
Anglers 18-64 years old who are fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license, and a trout stamp validation is required for anglers 18-64 years old to possess trout or salmon they catch on any Minnesota water. Complete trout season details are on the Minnesota DNR’s fishing page.
Spring turkey hunting begins April 15
Spring turkey hunting in Minnesota begins this month, with opportunities available from Wednesday, April 15, through Saturday, May 31. There are six seasons labeled A-F.
Wild turkey hunting is popular in Minnesota and turkey hunting — including setting decoys, listening for gobbles and calling to birds — can make for an active and unforgettable experience. For anyone new to the experience, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has how-to guides and videos on a learn-to-hunt webpage.
2026 spring turkey season dates are:
- Youth season – April 15-May 31
- Archery season – April 15-May 31
- A – April 15-21
- B – April 22-28
- C – April 29-May 5
- D – May 6-12
- E – May 13-19
- F – May 20-31
Crossbows are allowed for any person using a valid firearms or archery license. Adults wishing to hunt the A season in Carlos Avery or Whitewater wildlife management areas with a firearm must have a permit that was issued by lottery.
More information about purchasing a license, permit areas, tagging, registration, other regulations, and Carlos Avery or Whitewater WMA permit lottery results are on the DNR website.
Boaters: Renew your watercraft registration
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages boat owners to renew expired watercraft registrations before this year’s boating season.
The DNR urges boat owners to renew online or in person rather than by mail. People can renew in person at a local deputy registrar’s office or at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, in St. Paul.
Boat registrations are good for three calendar years. The DNR has details about how to renew watercraft, what information owners need to supply about their watercraft, and registration fees on the DNR website.