Quillback across Minnesota
Finding and keeping quillback under Minnesota rules.
- No limitlimit
- 4 lb 6 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Pepin: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Where quillback fit in Minnesota
The DNR files Quillback under the sucker family. The inland waters (statewide) rule allows No limit; season Continuous.
Minnesota River gave up the state record of 4 lb 6 oz in 2012. Survey crews found it in 46 lakes, 51 of which have pages. At 32 per gill net, Talcot Lake leads the lakes on this site.
The quillback limit
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | No limit | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Minnesota record quillback
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 4 lb 6 oz | Minnesota River | Carver | 2012 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Where the quillback surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talcot Lake | 32 | 0.95 | 2024 | |
| Frontenac Lake, Goodhue County | 8 | 2.11 | 1981 | |
| Shady Lake | 5 | 1.38 | 1987 | |
| Okamanpeedan Lake | 1.33 | 2 | 2023 | |
| East Graham Lake | 1 | 0.95 | 2022 | |
| Hall Lake | 1 | 2.84 | 2022 | |
| Lac qui Parle | 0.67 | 3.84 | 2016 | |
| Mississippi River Pool 1 | 0.67 | 2022 | ||
| West Graham Lake | 0.67 | 0.89 | 2022 | |
| Zumbro Lake | 0.67 | 2.99 | 2015 | |
| Big Stone Lake | 0.5 | 1.36 | 2024 | |
| Marsh, Big Stone County | 0.5 | 1.83 | 2015 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for quillback
Lakes with quillback
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
- Marsh, Big Stone County4,462 acres
- Shetek Lake3,462 acres
- Emily Lake, Pope County2,316 acres
- Okamanpeedan Lake2,268 acres
- Artichoke Lake1,971 acres
- Cannon Lake1,593 acres
- Spring Lake, Dakota County1,494 acres
- Madison Lake1,447 acres
- Lake Byllesby1,368 acres
- Big Stone NWR East Pool1,286 acres
- Fox Lake, Martin County951 acres
- Round Lake, Jackson County930 acres
- Cross/Pine River925 acres
- Talcot Lake873 acres
- Eagle Lake, Kandiyohi County849 acres
- Zumbro Lake715 acres
Streams with quillback
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish grouped with quillback
- Bigmouth buffalosucker family
- Smallmouth buffalosucker family
- White suckersucker family
- Shorthead redhorsesucker family
- Silver redhorsesucker family
Photos of places near Quillback
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Appraiser at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Minnesota quillback, asked by anglers
What is the limit on quillback?
No limit (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
What is the Minnesota record quillback?
4 lb 6 oz from Minnesota River (2012).
Which waters produce quillback?
Talcot Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 32 per net; 54 waters on this site list it.
Are quillback on the stocking pages?
Not on the DNR area stocking pages collected here.
What scientific name does the DNR use for quillback?
See the DNR profile.
Is quillback season open right now in Minnesota?
Continuous
Is a stamp needed for quillback?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do Minnesota guides take trips for quillback?
See the guides page.