Minnesota Trout and Lake Superior Rules
Stream trout seasons statewide and in southeast Minnesota, trout lake rules, the trout and salmon stamp, and Lake Superior limits and tributary rules.
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Trout seasons and limits
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Stream trout (brook, brown, rainbow, splake and hybrids) – streams | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Stream trout – streams | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2026 |
| Stream trout – streams | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout – streams | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Stream trout – streams | Closed to fishing | Oct. 16 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout – streams | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 9, 2027 |
| Stream trout – streams | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15, 2025 – April 10, 2026; Sept. 15, 2026 – April 9, 2027 |
| Stream trout – streams | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout – lakes (summer) | 5 combined total (not more than 3 over 16") | May 9 – Oct. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout – lakes (winter) | 5 combined total (not more than 3 over 16") | 2026 season: Jan. 17 – March 31; 2027 season: Jan. 16 – March 31 |
| Stream trout – lakes (winter) | 5 combined total (not more than 3 over 16") | 2026 season: Jan. 1 – March 31; 2027 season: Jan. 1 – March 31 |
| Stream trout – lakes (winter) | Winter season closed for stream trout | Winter season closed for stream trout |
- Fishing hours for stream trout on inland waters are from 1 hour before sunrise to 11 p.m.trout rule
- Only 1 line is allowed winter or summer on designated stream trout lakes and designated trout streams.trout rule
- Possessing live minnows or using them for bait on designated stream trout lakes is prohibited; only dried, frozen, or pickled (brined) minnows. Live leeches, worms, and wax worms are legal.trout rule
- Live minnows are allowed on most trout streams; some streams have bait restrictions (special regulations).trout rule
- Taking any species, including catch-and-release angling, in designated trout waters is prohibited outside of an open season for trout.trout rule
- Taking minnows or leeches from designated trout waters is prohibited except under special permit.trout rule
- All stream trout must have head, tail, fins, and skin intact when being transported.trout rule
- Native rough fish and common carp may not be taken by spear, harpoon, archery, or dip net in designated trout lakes or streams; dark house spearing is allowed for northern pike, whitefish and catfish.trout rule
Trout/salmon stamp validation required for designated trout streams and lakes, Lake Superior, and to possess trout (exemptions: under 18, 65 and older, 24-hour and 72-hour license holders, license-exempt or free-license anglers).
Lake Superior
Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Brook trout and splake | 1 (combined total brook trout, splake, brown trout and rainbow trout is 5); minimum size 20" | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Rainbow trout (steelhead) – clipped adipose fin | 3 (combined total brook trout, splake, brown trout and rainbow trout is 5); minimum size 16" | Continuous |
| Rainbow trout (steelhead) – unclipped | Catch-and-release only | Continuous |
| Brown trout | 5 (combined total brook trout, splake, brown trout and rainbow trout is 5); minimum size 10", only 1 over 16" | Continuous |
| Lake trout | 3 | Dec. 1, 2025 – Oct. 4, 2026; Dec. 1, 2026 – Oct. 3, 2027 |
| Salmon (Chinook, coho, pink and Atlantic) | 5 combined total; minimum size 10" | Continuous |
| Walleye | 2; minimum size 15" | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Northern pike | 2 | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Smelt | No limit | Continuous |
| Lake or shovelnose sturgeon | Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed. | June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year) |
- Different regulations apply above or below posted boundaries on tributaries (areas accessible to migratory fish).Lake Superior
- Sanctuary areas closed to fishing include parts of the French, Knife, Lester, Devil Track and Kadunce rivers, and Gauthier Creek.Lake Superior
- Angling from boats is closed Oct. 6 – Nov. 30 from the outer end of the north arm of the Duluth ship canal to the mouth of Chester Creek.Lake Superior
- Angling hours on tributaries below posted boundaries: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset (except St. Louis River Estuary and Pigeon River).Lake Superior
- Single hook or fly only, no treble hooks, on tributaries below posted boundaries (except St. Louis River and Pigeon River).Lake Superior
- No more than 2 lines on Lake Superior, except only 1 line within 100 yards of the mouth of any flowing stream.Lake Superior
- Fish hooked anywhere except the mouth on tributaries below posted boundaries must be immediately returned.Lake Superior
- Unclipped steelhead (rainbow trout) must be immediately released; clipped adipose fin must show a healed scar.Lake Superior
- Smelt: no limit; may be taken night or day; no artificial lights; dip nets and minnow seines (max 25 ft by 4 ft) allowed in the St. Louis River and in Lake Superior more than 100 feet from a stream mouth; taking smelt prohibited in French, Sucker, Little Sucker rivers, Silver, Encampment and Crow crLake Superior
- Cisco or smelt from Lake Superior may be used as bait only on Lake Superior unless preserved under a DNR bait preservation permit; spawn bags from Lake Superior trout may only be used on Lake Superior and its tributaries below posted boundaries.Lake Superior
- A guide license is required to operate a charter boat on Minnesota waters of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary.Lake Superior
Anyone fishing Minnesota waters of Lake Superior must possess a Minnesota angling license and trout/salmon stamp validation (with listed exemptions). A Wisconsin license is needed on Wisconsin waters, but the St. Louis River Estuary may be fished with a Minnesota license.
Above the boundary
Lake Superior tributaries above posted boundaries
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Brook and brown trout | 5 combined total; only 1 over 16" | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Rainbow trout | Catch-and-release only | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
Fish guide
Fish covered on this page
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Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Answers
Asked about the Minnesota Trout and Lake Superior Rules page
When does stream trout season open in Minnesota?
The harvest season opens the second Saturday in April; April 11 in 2026.
Is there winter trout fishing in southeast Minnesota?
Yes, catch and release from Jan. 1 to the April opener, and again Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
How many stream trout can I keep?
5 combined, only 1 over 16 inches, on streams.
Who needs the trout and salmon stamp?
Anglers 18 to 64 fishing designated trout water, Lake Superior or keeping trout; not 24-hour or 72-hour license holders.
Can I keep a steelhead from Lake Superior?
Only rainbow trout with a clipped adipose fin, 3 combined, 16-inch minimum; unclipped fish are released.
Can I use live minnows on trout lakes?
No; only dried, frozen or brined minnows on designated stream trout lakes.
What are the stream trout fishing hours?
From 1 hour before sunrise to 11 p.m. on inland waters.
How many lines on trout water?
One line, summer or winter.
More
Other Minnesota limits pages
- Minnesota Inland Waters Limitsstatewide limits, pike zones and line rules
- Minnesota Ice Fishing Ruleslines, shelters, removal dates and spearing
- Minnesota Border Waters RulesCanada, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas
- Minnesota Special Regulations Waterslakes and streams with their own limits
- License and feeswho needs one, prices