Black River Fishing
Koochiching County.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Rainy River: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
First look at the Black River
Through Koochiching County, the Black River cuts its way as a river. Its Minnesota length on the map is about 42 miles. Measured from the route midpoint, Littlefork sits about 20 miles off.
Canoe put-ins along the Black River
The DNR access layer holds no point on the Black River.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Black River
No special regulation names the Black River, so statewide rows apply.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Around Black River, up close
Overnight bases for Black River
- Littlefork20 miles
- Big Falls21 miles
- International Falls28 miles
- Ranier30 miles
Rivers surrounding the Black River
- Rainy River12 miles
- Dinner Creek23 miles
- Silver Creek, Lake of the Woods County27 miles
- Tamarac River, Koochiching County28 miles
Counties surrounding Black River
Piscifun reels to pack for the Black River
_P7130506.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The Black River, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county holds the Black River?
It crosses Koochiching County.
Which stream trout rules cover the Black River?
It is not a designated trout stream.
Does a USGS gauge sit on the Black River?
No gauge sits on it; nearby river pages have USGS readings.
Can I put a canoe in the Black River?
The DNR layer holds no access for it.
Are statewide limits in force on the Black River?
The statewide table covers it.
Which license do I need on the Black River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which shop is nearest the Black River?
Our list shows no shop inside 25 miles.
How far is the Black River from a Minnesota city?
Littlefork, about 20 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Does the Black River have walleye?
No DNR species list is published.
Plan a river day on the Black River
Check the flow and the rules before you drive.