Get the region fishing outlooks and get ready for fishing



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minnesota department of natural resources


*Minnesota Fishing *



"May 9, 2024"

Stay informed! Here’s a summary of upcoming fisheries and habitat management activities and ways you can discover, explore and experience Minnesota’s outdoors.

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beautiful sunrise scene by boat lift on shore
Regional fishing outlooks available

Want some local fishing information before the Saturday, May 11 fishing opener? Check the regional fishing outlooks from the Minnesota DNR. The outlooks provide details about fishing opportunities and conditions in various areas of the state, including for specific lakes, rivers and streams.

Based on reports from across the state, anglers have a lot to look forward to — especially with an early ice out this year and fisheries lake surveys that have showed good year classes of walleye in many lakes. And if the walleye aren’t cooperating, there are other great options like bluegill and crappie, bass or northern pike. And there are other native fish out there like sucker species, freshwater drum and others that can provide a lot of action and good food fare. The regional fishing outlooks are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ].

"“Sunrise boat lifts ready for opener on Wolf Lake"” """photo """courtesy of Michael Hanlety""



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sunset with fishing pole and bobber
Check the DNR fishing webpage

The Minnesota DNR has a fishing page [ [link removed] ] to help answer angler questions. The page links to LakeFinder, which provides maps, special regulation information for individual lakes, other detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.

"“Fishing at sunset"” """photo """courtesy of "Cara Hanson"""



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Minnesota Fishing Regulations cover in Spanish
Fishing regulations available online in Hmong, Karen, Somali, Spanish

The Minnesota DNR has translated the state’s 2024 fishing regulations into Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish, the four most commonly spoken languages, apart from English, in Minnesota.

The translated regulations are available in digital format on the Minnesota DNR website, with links to the PDF booklets here.


* English: Minnesota fishing regulations [ [link removed] ]
* Hmong: Cov cai nuv ntses hauv lav Minnesota [ [link removed] ]
* Karen: မံၣ်နံၣ်စိထၣ် တၢ်တခွဲညၣ် တၢ်သိၣ်တၢ်သီတၢ်ဘျၢ [ [link removed] ] 
* Somali: Sharciyada kalluumeysiga ee Minnesota [ [link removed] ] 
* Spanish: Regulaciones de pesca de Minnesota [ [link removed] ]

They will also be in print at locations in late May where they are most likely to be in demand, including at select DNR offices, license vendors and some Minnesota state parks. People can request a copy of the English, Hmong, Karen, Somali or Spanish regulation booklets be mailed to them by calling the DNR’s Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or by emailing [email protected]. 

The Minnesota DNR Information Center also offers interpretation in more than 200 languages and provides information in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities. For TTY/TDD communication contact us through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 800-627-3529. 



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Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge graphic with Student Anglers Association and Woman Anglers of MN included
Minnesota moms: Join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge!

Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota to host the challenge.

To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms simply need to join the Facebook group called “Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge 2024” and post one photo of each fish they catch — we want to see how many fish Minnesota moms catch!

All participants who submit one or more fish photos will have their name entered in a random drawing for prizes provided by the Student Angler Organization and their partners, including gift cards for SCHEELS and Lund. Additionally, participants are invited to tune in for a pre-challenge virtual Fishing 101 class, hosted by Women Anglers of Minnesota in the challenge Facebook group [ [link removed] ] on May 7. Challenge details are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ].



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young angler with large walleye
Dreaming of walleye?

Fishing opener is this weekend and if you’re hoping to catch Minnesota’s state fish, brush up on tips and techniques! Here are a few free resources through our Minnesota Outdoor Skills & Stewardship Series:


* How to catch early season walleyes [ [link removed] ] with DNR fisheries staff and walleye fishing experts [ [link removed] ]
* Walleye fishing basics [ [link removed] ] on open water with walleye expert Steve Robertson [ [link removed] ]
* Walleye fishing for beginners [ [link removed] ] with Becoming An Outdoorswoman Coordinator Linda Bylander.

"“Noah’s personal best on Big Pine!” photo from 2023 courtesy of "Kelly Tumberg""



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young angler holding a walleye caught on Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs walleye regulations reminder

Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and summer with the opportunity to harvest a walleye starting on Friday, Aug. 16.

During the open water harvest opportunity beginning on Aug. 16, anglers will be able to keep one walleye that is 21-23 inches in length or that is greater than 28 inches. The Minnesota DNR designed the regulation to keep the state’s walleye take within the limit agreed upon with tribal nations.

Anglers are reminded to protect Mille Lacs Lake and all Minnesota waters from aquatic invasive species by cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash. A decontamination station is available 24/7 at the Shaw-Bosh-Kung Bay public access on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake about 8 miles south of Garrison.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated surveys showing ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike and yellow perch are available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ].



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Special edition blaze orange Twins cap
Minnesota Twins offer special edition hats and discounted tickets

Anyone with a 2024 Minnesota fishing or hunting license can access a special ticket package with the Minnesota Twins this season that includes a special edition blaze orange wool-blend Twins cap with ticket purchase.

The Minnesota DNR Days partnership includes seven games this year with the next one coming up 7:10 p.m. Friday, May 24, vs. the Texas Rangers. Find more game times and instructions for purchasing tickets on the Minnesota DNR Days webpage [ [link removed] ].



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water draining out of a boat
Other important fishing reminders

*Your fishing license*
Buy fishing licenses at any DNR license agent, online with a mobile or desktop device at mndnr.gov/buyalicense [ [link removed] ], or by phone at 888-665-4236. Online buyers receive a text or email that serves as proof of a valid license to state conservation officers.

*Clean In Clean Out*
Remember anglers and boaters, Clean In Clean Out when boating or fishing in Minnesota. Protect your waters by following state aquatic invasive species laws. Clean, drain, dispose and keep all plugs out while transporting boats. Find information on aquatic invasive species on the DNR website [ [link removed] ].

*Fish consumption guidance*
Anglers can find fish consumption guidance [ [link removed] ] on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Anglers should check for site-specific advice that pertains to the water they’re fishing. If eating fish from a variety of waters or a specific water isn’t listed, anglers should follow the statewide guidelines. The MDH website has both site-specific and statewide guidance on eating fish.

*Safety must be the priority around cold water*
Cold water is dangerous and unexpected falls can quickly turn tragic. About 30% of fatal boating accidents each year happen during the cold-water period, and many involve victims who weren’t wearing a life jacket. The most effective way to survive a fall into cold water is to wear a life jacket and make sure the jacket is buckled or zipped. For more information about staying safe on and around cold water, visit the DNR cold water safety page [ [link removed] ].

*Record fish opportunities expand*
Changes have been made to the state record fish program [ [link removed] ]. More species have been added to the catch-and-release category, and some records within the certified weight category have been re-opened.



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Send us your fishing photos

Anglers, we’d love to see your fishing photos! Photos submitted are used in Minnesota DNR publications including social media, newsletters, news releases, webpages and more. Upload your photos online [ [link removed] ].

angler holding a crappie

"“Early season crappie!"” """photo """courtesy of "Cara Hanson"""






Find fishing information

You can find the information you need about learning to fish, regulations, where to fish, aquatic invasive species, contacting a conservation officer and more on the DNR fishing page [ [link removed] ].







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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

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