Lake sturgeon across Minnesota
lake sturgeon: Minnesota limits and records.
- Catch-and-release onlimit
- 94 lb 4 ozrecord
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lake sturgeon, statewide
Lake sturgeon is a Minnesota fish in the DNR sturgeon family group. The booklet row for inland waters (statewide; see border waters for other sturgeon waters) sets Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed. and runs June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year).
The record table shows 94 lb 4 oz from Kettle River, 1994. The DNR has recorded it in 24 lakes; this site has pages for 24. Gill nets on White Earth Lake caught 4.44 per net, the best among lakes here.
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“Habitat restoration and conservation efforts are helping the slow-growing, prehistoric sturgeon make a strong comeback in the Rainy, St. Louis, Red and St. Croix rivers.”
“The lake sturgeon is a torpedo-shaped primitive fish with a cartilaginous skeleton. It has five rows of large, prominent, bony plates called scutes on its body.”
“Lake sturgeon have a flattened snout, with large, fleshy barbels and a protractile mouth located under the head.”
- It has five rows of large, prominent, bony plates called scutes on its body.identification
- Lake sturgeon have a flattened snout, with large, fleshy barbels and a protractile mouth located under the head.identification
- Lake sturgeon prefer moderately clear, large rivers and lakes.habitat
- They are most often found over firm sand, gravel, or rubble bottoms.habitat
- sturgeonalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
What you may keep of lake sturgeon
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide; see border waters for other sturgeon waters) | Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed. | June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year) |
| Lake Superior and the St. Louis River | Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed. | June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year) |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
State record lake sturgeon
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 94 lb 4 oz | Kettle River | Pine | 1994 |
| catch and release | 80 in | Rainy River | Lake of the Woods | 2026 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Best lake sturgeon netting on lakes with pages
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Earth Lake | 4.44 | 2.81 | 2023 | |
| Big Stone Lake | 3.67 | 2.91 | 2024 | |
| Round Lake, Becker County | 2.78 | 3.98 | 2025 | |
| Wright Lake | 1.5 | 9.04 | 2016 | |
| Deer Lake, Otter Tail County | 1.33 | 10.24 | 2019 | |
| Lake of the Woods | 1.08 | 19.49 | 2025 | |
| East Lost Lake | 0.89 | 5.45 | 2019 | |
| Detroit Lake | 0.75 | 2.88 | 2023 | |
| Hoot Lake | 0.5 | 8.21 | 2025 | |
| Lake Pepin | 0.5 | 3.61 | 2024 | |
| Otter Tail Lake | 0.5 | 3.38 | 2004 | |
| St. Louis River Estuary | 0.36 | 0.18 | 2025 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Lakes and streams holding lake sturgeon
lake sturgeon lakes
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Kabetogama Lake24,034 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Rush Lake near Ottertail, Otter Tail County5,276 acres
- Big Pine Lake, Otter Tail County4,728 acres
- Detroit Lake3,067 acres
- Crane Lake, St. Louis County2,921 acres
- Little Pine Lake, Otter Tail County2,080 acres
- White Earth Lake1,989 acres
- Many Point Lake1,701 acres
- Pokegama Lake, Pine County1,521 acres
- Round Lake, Becker County1,094 acres
- Cross/Pine River925 acres
- East Lost Lake483 acres
- Deer Lake, Otter Tail County447 acres
- Hoot Lake161 acres
- Wright Lake67 acres
lake sturgeon streams
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish beside lake sturgeon in the DNR groups
- Shovelnose sturgeonsturgeon family
Scenery a short drive from Lake sturgeon
Photo: EricWoodbury8301, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Reader questions on lake sturgeon
How many lake sturgeon can I keep in Minnesota?
Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed. (Inland waters (statewide; see border waters for other sturgeon waters)), season June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year).
Does Minnesota keep a record for lake sturgeon?
94 lb 4 oz from Kettle River (1994).
Which lakes did the DNR net the most lake sturgeon in?
White Earth Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 4.44 per net; 26 waters on this site list it.
Do DNR hatcheries raise lake sturgeon?
No stocking is listed.
Which marks identify lake sturgeon?
It has five rows of large, prominent, bony plates called scutes on its body.
Can lake sturgeon be kept in every month in Minnesota?
June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year)
Which Minnesota license do I need for lake sturgeon?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who runs trips for lake sturgeon?
No Minnesota operator names it; try the guides page.
Find lake sturgeon near your Minnesota home
Every lake named here has a page with survey catch and limits.