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 outdoor-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 | |
| 06/16/24 - 04/14/25 | Sturgeon - catch-and-release | Minnesota waters | |
| 09/09/24 - 02/23/25 | Smallmouth bass - catch-and-release | Statewide except the northeast |