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Trapping season dates and application deadlines

The river otter trapping season in the Northern Zone will close early, effective April 1, 2024, at midnight. No river otters can be harvested on or after April 1. Registration can still occur on April 1, so long as the harvest occurred the prior day.

The river otter season in the Northern Zone was scheduled to run from Nov. 4, 2023 – April 30, 2024, or until the harvest quota was reached. Due to unusually warm winter weather and stable water levels, trappers are projected to reach the 2,500 harvest quota before the end of the season.

This closure changes the end date for the Northern Zone only. The river otter season in the Southern Zone will close as scheduled on March 31.

View and print 2023 season dates and application deadlines.

View and print 2024 season dates and application deadlines.

Bobcat

The application deadline for bobcat permits is Aug. 1.

2024 Seasons
North and South zones, Period 1 Oct. 19 – Dec. 25
North and South zones, Period 2 Dec. 26 – Jan. 31, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Fisher

The application deadline for fisher permits is Aug. 1.

2024 Seasons
North and South Zones Oct. 19 – Jan. 5, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Otter

Starting in 2020, there is no longer a drawing for otters. Otter is now a bag limit/quota species.

2023 Seasons
North zone Nov. 4 – April 30, 2024
South zone Nov. 4 – March 31, 2024
See trapping regulations for details.
2024 Seasons
North zone Nov. 2 – April 30, 2025
South zone Nov. 2 – March 31, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Coyote

2024 Seasons
Trapping Oct. 19 – Feb. 15, 2025
Hunting Continuous open season (year-round)
See trapping regulations for details.

Fox

2024 Seasons
Trapping and Hunting Oct. 19 – Feb. 15, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Beaver

2023 Seasons
Zone A (northwest) Nov. 4 – April 30, 2024
Zone B (northeast) Nov. 4 – April 30, 2024
Zone C (south) Nov. 4 – March 31, 2024
Zone D (Mississippi River) Dec. 4 – March 15, 2024
See trapping regulations for details.
2024 Seasons
Zone A (northwest) Nov. 2 – April 30, 2025
Zone B (northeast) Nov. 2 – April 30, 2025
Zone C (south) Nov. 2 – March 31, 2025
Zone D (Mississippi River)  – March 15, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Mink And Muskrat

2023 Seasons
Northern Zone Oct. 21 – April 15, 2024
Central Zone Oct. 28 – March 22, 2024
Southern Zone Nov. 4 – March 15, 2024
Mississippi River zone Nov. 13 – March 10, 2024
See trapping regulations for details.
2024 Seasons
Northern Zone Oct. 19 – April 15, 2025
Central Zone Oct. 26 – March 22, 2025
Southern Zone Nov. 2 – March 15, 2025
Mississippi River zone Nov. 11 – March 9, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Raccoon

2024 Seasons
Resident Oct. 19 – Feb. 15, 2025
Nonresident Nov. 2 – Feb. 15, 2025
See trapping regulations for details.

Other

Opossums, skunk, weasels, porcupines, snowshoe hares and woodchucks

No season limits, bag limits, size limits or possession limits, but a license is required.