Plus, a bigmouth buffalo record!



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minnesota department of natural resources


*Minnesota Fishing *



"June 4, 2025"

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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anger holding a muskie she caught on a dock on a sunny day
Share your thoughts on muskie plan draft

We’re inviting you to share your thoughts on a draft update of Minnesota’s long-range plan for muskellunge.

The plan will be used to guide muskie management for the next 15 years. It includes management goals, objectives and strategies centered on improving existing muskie populations, shifting approaches in the production of muskies to be stocked, continuing hybrid (tiger) muskellunge management in the metro area, and broadening research and education efforts. Although there was interest in adding new waters to the statewide muskie stocking program, public input focused on first improving existing lakes, especially the key muskie fisheries of Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion and Lake Minnetonka.

You can find a digital copy of the draft plan on the DNR muskie page [ [link removed] ] and you can submit comments by:


* Using the online survey available on the muskie page [ [link removed] ]
* Emailing [email protected]
* Writing to Kelly Wilder, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – FAW, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155

The DNR is accepting comments on the draft plan update through Thursday, June 12.

"“Chasing my childhood dreams one day at a time"” photo courtesy of "Alissa Allen"



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Angler holding a muskie on a dock with other anglers nearby on the dock
What muskie eat, and other muskie facts

Muskies are large, popular predator fish native to Minnesota and muskie fishing season begins here Saturday, June 7.

The Minnesota DNR manages muskies by protecting critical habitat on native muskie waters, stocking them into select other waters, setting harvest and season regulations, population monitoring and research, and outreach and education about muskies.

Minnesota has 101 waters managed for muskies, comprising 2% of the state’s fishable lakes and rivers and 22% of the total surface area that is fishable. Muskies have been introduced in 48 lakes and are maintained in these lakes through stocking. The state record muskie for catch-and-release length is 58 1/4 inches, caught on Mille Lacs Lake in 2022.

Recent Minnesota DNR research on muskie diets [ [link removed] ] shows that, on a population level, pike and bass consume much more food than muskies in the lakes where they are present. The research also found that muskies consumed a wide range of prey, but the primary makeup of muskie diets are yellow perch, white sucker, bullheads, invertebrates and northern pike. Cisco can also be important in those lakes where their populations are abundant. Walleye were not an important component of muskie diets. The DNR will continue to manage muskie populations in a way that maintains fish community balance.

"“Off the dock"” photo courtesy of "Sean Drotts"



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angler holding the record caught and released bigmouth buffalo
Bigmouth record caught and released 

Check out this chonk of a bigmouth buffalo!

Joe Dahl of Apply Valley reeled in this 32 1/2 inch bigmouth buffalo in late April. The fish was caught from the Cannon River in Rice County. This is the new catch-and-release record for this species!

Bigmouth buffalo, and many other native rough fish species, were added to the state record catch-and-release program last year. Learn more about open categories and find other records on the DNR website [ [link removed] ]. 

Congratulations on your catch, Joe!



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young angler on a boat holding up a crappie he caught
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend starts Friday

During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend [ [link removed] ] Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8, Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Casting a line is one way among many to enjoy Great Outdoors Month, in June.

Youth 15 and younger do not require fishing licenses at any time of the year, though they must observe all fishing seasons and other regulations. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend allows adult Minnesotans to fish without a license as long as they take a child fishing with them. Minnesota residents also may generally fish in state parks without a fishing license if the body of water does not require a trout stamp.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is one among many other outdoor opportunities available to Minnesotans during Great Outdoors Month. During June, Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota DNR are encouraging Minnesotans to get out in nature and enjoy the state’s outstanding outdoor opportunities, including fishing, riding all-terrain vehicles on state ATV trails, and visiting state parks and recreation areas to hike, bike, camp, swim, paddle or go birding. The proclamation of June being Great Outdoors Month in Minnesota cites the health and wellness benefits of spending time outdoors as one of the many reasons to encourage Minnesotans to get outdoors.

"“First fish of the season!” photo courtesy of Amber Neirby"



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pier on Francis Lake
Piers added with Get Out MORE funding

New fishing piers at Leech Lake in the city of Walker, and Lake Francis in the city of Elysian, are the latest of numerous fishing infrastructure improvements made possible by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) one-time funding approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023.

The Elysian and Walker fishing piers are two of five such projects completed with Get Out MORE funding so far. The other projects were on Spring Lake in North Mankato, Madison Lake in Blue Earth County and Sylvan Pond in Lanesboro. Twenty more piers and shore fishing site improvements are planned to be added in 2025 and more to come in 2026.

Get Out MORE is a historic, one-time investment of $150 million to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose. Get Out MORE funding centers on five key areas, with $60 million going toward a state-of-the-art fish hatchery system, increased fish production, along with enhancing shore fishing sites and opportunities. More information about the Get Out MORE improvements in progress and soon to come can be found on the Get Out MORE page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ].



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view of Winnie from a boat with sun, clouds, sky, water and a pole off the front of the boat
DNR seeks applicants for Lake Winnibigoshish, Rainy Lake input groups

The Minnesota DNR is seeking people with a range of perspectives and experiences, including local fishing guides, local anglers, anglers from across Minnesota, local businesses and local resorts, and water-based businesses, to serve on two fisheries input groups, one for Lake Winnibigoshish and the other for Rainy Lake. The groups work closely with the DNR to provide input on fisheries management activities on these lakes, including any activities that are authorized, licensed, permitted, or otherwise regulated or managed by the state. Minnesotans can apply online through Tuesday, June 24, to serve on the fisheries input groups for Lake Winnibigoshish or Rainy Lake.

Detailed committee and application information for each group is available on the Rainy Lake page [ [link removed] ] and the Lake Winnibigoshish page [ [link removed] ].

"“Great view on opener on Lake Winnibigoshish"” photo courtesy of "Jennifer Drotts"



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DNR staff holding a walleye during a St. Louis River tagging project
Anglers, please report tagged fish!

Minnesota DNR tagged walleye in the St. Louis River Estuary to help gather information necessary for research and management. This is in collaboration with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ research.

Fisheries biologists used electrofishing to temporarily stun and pull up wild walleye. Fish were measured and received external tags before being released back into the river.

In the spring for this project alone, staff captured and tagged about 13,000 walleye.

Anglers might catch tagged fish in numerous waters across Minnesota. You can report tagged fish online, with no special equipment required. Reporting tagged fish [ [link removed] ] gives us important information about fish migration, behavior, age, mortality rates, abundance and stocking.



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boat at sunset traveling at speed across Lake Vermilion
New education requirements going into effect July 1 for some boaters

Minnesota long has required people between the ages of 12 and 17 to obtain a watercraft operator’s permit to operate certain types of motorized boats in the state. In 2023, the state Legislature passed a law expanding that requirement.

Beginning July 1, 2025, anyone age 12 or older and born after June 30, 2004, will be required to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft on Minnesota waters. (The new law does not affect people who already have a permit.) The requirement gradually includes more age groups, and by July 1, 2028, anyone born after June 30, 1987, will need a valid watercraft operator’s permit to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft on Minnesota waters.

Although we recommend everyone obtain their watercraft operator’s permit, if you were born before July 1, 1987, you will not need one unless you’re an accompanying operator or renting a motorboat or personal watercraft. For more details, including definitions of the various operator types and a link to the watercraft operator’s permit course, see the DNR website [ [link removed] ].

"“Sunset fishing on Lake Vermilion” photo courtesy of Cara Hanson"



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two kids on a dock with a paddlefish sitting on a dock
Catch these fishy summer webinars

Check out these fish and fishing-related topics included in the summer series of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series:


* June 18 – Aquatic invasive species and watercraft inspections
* July 16 – Fishing with live bait
* July 30 – Walleye genetics and survival
* Aug. 13 – Gar and paddlefish in today’s world.

The live webinars are at noon on Wednesdays and last an hour or less. Find a full list of summer webinars on the DNR website [ [link removed] ].

"“Vanna and Mosley with the elusive Minnesota paddlefish” photo courtesy of Mo Vang"



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Join us with the Twins and get a special edition hat; hunt + fish; Target Field photo; DNR logo; Twins hat with fish on it
Sport this new Twins hat!

DNR Days with the Twins is back for the 2025 season. If you have a valid Minnesota hunting or fishing license, you get access to a special ticket package with the Minnesota Twins.

Buy your tickets in advance through this special link [ [link removed] ] to receive a limited edition hat with your purchase.  

The remaining DNR Days with the Twins for the 2025 season are:


* Friday, June 20, Milwaukee Brewers
* Friday, July 11, Pittsburgh Pirates
* Tuesday, July 29, Boston Red Sox
* Saturday, Aug. 16, Detroit Tigers
* Sunday, Aug. 31, San Diego Padres
* Tuesday, Sept. 16, New York Yankees


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Thanks moms! And all anglers, please share your fishing photos

Thank you to Minnesota moms who participated in the Take a Mom Fishing Challenge during fishing opener weekend! This year during the challenge, 2,775 moms participated, with more than 1,600 fish photos sent in, from a wide range of fish species caught from all over Minnesota.

While the fishing challenge was held in conjunction with Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, we welcome seeing photos from everyone during fishing opener weekend and any time of the year!

Do you have any fishing photos you want to share? Consider uploading them using the DNR photo uploader [ [link removed] ]. We use many of these photos in email newsletters, our webpages and other communications.

angler standing on shore holding a bass she caught

"“Fishing opener” photo courtesy of Esme Navarro"






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] ] *

Email us: [email protected]  |  Call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367

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