Net River Fishing
Carlton County and Pine County, designated trout stream.
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The Net River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Net River, a river of Carlton County and Pine County. The DNR route line covers close to 15 miles. For minnows and gas, Wrenshall is about 12 miles away.
Roughly 14.7 miles carry the DNR trout stream designation. It is a Lake Superior tributary on the North Shore.
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| Regulation | Reach |
|---|---|
| Special Limits Downstream of Posted Boundary | Downstream of County Road 8. |
| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
One line and the trout and salmon stamp: those are the basics on the Net River. It follows the statewide trout dates.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Reaching the Net River by boat
Walk in to fish the Net River; no access point is on file.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Net River
Every limit on the Net River is in the table below.
| 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 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Beyond the shore of Net River
More Minnesota lakes near Net River
- Graham Lake, Carlton County4 miles
- Net Lake, Pine County4 miles
- Pickerel Lake, Pine County4 miles
- Headquarters Lake, Pine County6 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Net River
- Outdoor Advantagesporting goods store, Cloquet, 18 miles
- Spirit Lake Marina & RV Parkmarina, Duluth, 19 miles
- Harbor Cove Marinamarina, Duluth, 21 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Net River
- Wrenshall12 miles
- Kerrick13 miles
- Carlton14 miles
- Barnum15 miles
Streams neighboring the Net River
- Nemadji River, South Fork3 miles
- State Line Creek4 miles
- Nemadji River5 miles
- Clear Creek near Barnum, Carlton County6 miles
Counties that Net River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Net River
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Fish to look for at Net River
Photo: Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Reader questions on the Net River
How do I drive to the Net River?
Through Carlton County and Pine County.
May I keep trout from the Net River?
Designated for trout across about 14.7 miles.
Where can I check discharge on the Net River?
No flow station covers it.
Which accesses reach the Net River?
Records show walk-in fishing only.
Are there special DNR rules on the Net River?
Special Limits Downstream of Posted Boundary
Is a stamp needed on the Net River?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Who sells leeches near the Net River?
Outdoor Advantage, about 18 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Net River?
Wrenshall, some 12 miles off by air.
Which species does the Net River hold?
The DNR lists rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Work the Net River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.