For a complete list of fishing seasons please check the fishing regulations.
Fishing licenses are effective from March 1 to the last day of February of the following year. A fishing license for the current 2024-25 license year is effective until Feb. 28, 2025.
The purchase price of every fishing license goes into the Game and Fish Fund, a dedicated account that can only be used for fish, wildlife, law enforcement and certain other related activities.
Seasons for waters entirely within Minnesota
Fishing for trout in streams and lakes varies based on location and species. Select the desired section from the drop-down list on the online fishing regulations webpage.
Scroll table right to see more »
| 12/30/23 - 03/31/24 | Lake trout | Lakes entirely within the BWCA | |
| 01/13/24 - 03/31/24 | Lake trout | Lakes partially or completely outside the BWCA | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Bullhead | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Burbot (eelpout) | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Channel catfish | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Cisco (tullibee), whitefish | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Crappie | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Gar | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Other | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Perch | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Rock bass | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Smelt | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | Sunfish | Minnesota waters | |
| 03/01/24 - 02/28/25 | White bass | Minnesota waters | |
| 04/01/24 - 11/30/24 | Flathead catfish | Minnesota waters | |
| 05/11/24 - 02/23/25 | Largemouth bass | Northeastern Minnesota | |
| 05/11/24 - 02/23/25 | Northern pike | Minnesota waters | |
| 05/11/24 - 02/23/25 | Sauger | Minnesota waters | |
| 05/11/24 - 02/23/25 | Smallmouth bass | Northeastern Minnesota | |
| 05/11/24 - 02/23/25 | Walleye | Minnesota waters | |
| 05/25/24 - 02/28/25 | Largemouth bass | Statewide except the northeast | |
| 05/25/24 - 09/08/24 | Smallmouth bass | Statewide except the northeast | |
| 06/01/24 - 12/01/24 | Muskellunge | Minnesota waters | |
| 06/16/24 - 04/14/25 | Sturgeon - catch-and-release | Minnesota waters | |
| 09/09/24 - 02/23/25 | Smallmouth bass - catch-and-release | Statewide except the northeast |