Minnesota Fishing

Labor Day weekend: Great time to start fishing!

Cast a line and catch memories this Labor Day weekend! Don?t have a fishing license yet for the 2023-2024 season? No problem! Grab a three-day (72 hour) license for just $14 for Minnesota residents or $36 for non-residents.

Are you interested in going fishing with the little ones in your life? Children ages 15 and younger fish for free, and children ages 16 and 17 can fish all season for just $5.

We hope you can get out there this weekend to go fishing and enjoy quality time in the outdoors. Buy a license now!

DNR stocks heritage brook trout in southeast streams

With splashes and dashes, thousands of tiny brook trout swam free in several southeast Minnesota streams this August, representing a major milestone in a Minnesota DNR effort to restore a unique, native strain of brook trout.

This strain of brook trout, called MN Driftless, came from the DNR gathering the eggs and milt from remnant native populations of brook trout, then rearing the fish at the DNR?s Peterson Hatchery. Brook trout are the only trout species native to southeast Minnesota.

The adult fish raised and held at the hatchery produced the tiny fingerlings that the DNR started stocking into streams in August. Read more about what it took to produce these fish in a DNR hatchery and stock them in the wild.

Focusing on lesser-known native fish at the Minnesota State Fair fish pond

Meandering through the Minnesota State Fair for many visitors means stopping by the fish pond at the Minnesota DNR building and grounds, where visitors can see about 40 fish species up close.

This year, lesser-known fish are getting some special attention by the DNR and others who are increasingly interested in these sometimes misunderstood fish ? species that might get a ?what?s that?? rather than high fives when caught by anglers.

These fish, many of which are commonly called rough fish, include buffalo, bowfin (also known as dogfish), carpsuckers, freshwater drum (also known as sheepshead), gar, goldeye, mooneye, quillback, and several species of redhorses and suckers. These species are garnering renewed appreciation for the important role they play in aquatic ecosystems and the health of rivers and lakes.

In an online DNR questionnaire, you can share your thoughts on the importance of these species, how they should be managed and levels of protection the DNR should be implementing. The online questionnaire is available on the Engage with DNR page through Friday, Sept. 15.

DNR research is underway to track the populations of these species, with initial results expected in the latter part of 2024. Additionally, the DNR formed a new work group with members of conservation organizations, members of the bowfishing community and interested stakeholders to identify conservation strategies for other lesser-known native fish.

Also make sure to check out the?DNR live stream of the fish pond!

DNR seeks input on special fishing regulation proposals

The Minnesota DNR is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals. The DNR is considering regulation changes on the following waters:

• Northern pike in Gull Lake Chain (Cass and Crow Wing counties)
• Northern pike in Pearl Lake (Stearns County)
• Crappie and sunfish in Clearwater Lake (Wright County)
• Crappie and sunfish in Maple Lake (Wright County)
• Sunfish in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Crow Wing lakes (Hubbard County)
• Sunfish in Lake Winnibigoshish (Beltrami, Cass and Itasca counties)
• Northern pike in Balsam, Haskell and Scrapper lakes (Itasca County)
• Walleye in Big Sand Lake (Hubbard County)

Anyone can provide input about these proposals via an online survey that is available through Friday, Oct. 20. Check the DNR website for additional ways to comment and for more details about in-person meetings.? ?

Winners chosen for trout and salmon stamp and walleye stamp contests?

Alborn artist Dean Kegler won the Minnesota trout and salmon stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a brook trout, and Bemidji artist Sam Larsen won the walleye stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a walleye. Judging for both contests happened virtually on Aug. 3.

In the trout and salmon stamp contest, which had 10 eligible submissions, the runner-up was Ronald Engebretson of Owatonna with a watercolor and color pencil painting of a brown trout. Third place went to Josh Evan of Mapleton with an acrylic painting of a brook trout.

In the walleye stamp contest, which had 11 eligible submissions, the runner-up was Stuart Nelson of Cloquet with an acrylic painting of a walleye. Third place went to Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville with an acrylic painting of a walleye.

The Minnesota DNR uses revenue from voluntary purchases of walleye stamps to purchase walleye for stocking in Minnesota?s lakes. Revenue from trout and salmon stamps, which are required for anglers ages 18-64 who fish in designated trout water or possess trout, is dedicated to trout and salmon management and habitat work. Visit the stamp webpage of the DNR website for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.

Twins offer free hats

Anyone with a 2023 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can receive a free special edition orange Minnesota Twins logo cap and a ticket discount from the Minnesota Twins, through a partnership between the Twins and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The final DNR Days at Twins game for this season is 1:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. New York Mets. Promotion details, instructions for purchasing tickets, and information on buying a fishing or hunting license are available on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time using a special DNR link to receive this offer.