Rainbow smelt across Minnesota
Minnesota rules, records and lakes for rainbow smelt.
- No limitlimit
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Minnesota rainbow smelt at a glance
Rainbow smelt belongs to the state fish list on the DNR list. For inland waters (statewide), the limit reads No limit with a season of Continuous.
DNR surveys list it in 24 lakes; 25 of them have a page here. The best gill net rate belongs to Little Long Lake near Ely, St. Louis County: 249.75 per net.
DNR notes on rainbow smelt
“The population of this invasive species peaked in the 1970s. With Lake Superior restored to a more natural state, these silver-colored fish, 6 to 9 inches long, no longer bring thousands of netters to the North Shore for the spring smelt run.”
- With Lake Superior restored to a more natural state, these silver-colored fish, 6 to 9 inches long, no longer bring thousands of netters to the North Shore for the spring smelt run.identification
- smeltalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
Rules for keeping rainbow smelt
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | No limit | Continuous |
| Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries | No limit | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Highest rainbow smelt survey catch
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Long Lake near Ely, St. Louis County | 249.75 | 2022 | ||
| Judson Mine Pit | 183 | 0.01 | 2013 | |
| West Bearskin Lake | 33.67 | 0.03 | 2023 | |
| Burntside Lake | 31.92 | 0.01 | 2024 | |
| Hanson Lake, St. Louis County | 30 | 0.05 | 2024 | |
| Iron Chief Complex Lake | 16 | 0.03 | 2008 | |
| Trout Lake, Cook County | 10.5 | 0.02 | 2023 | |
| Rose Lake, Cook County | 2.17 | 0.05 | 1987 | |
| Grindstone Lake | 1.67 | 0.05 | 2025 | |
| Saganaga Lake | 1.5 | 0.02 | 2014 | |
| Kinney Mine Pit | 1 | 0.05 | 2010 | |
| Chester Lake | 0.5 | 0.02 | 2024 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Where DNR surveys place rainbow smelt
Big lakes for rainbow smelt
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Rainy Lake, St. Louis County210,200 acres
- Lac la Croix29,597 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Saganaga Lake18,767 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- Burntside Lake7,314 acres
- Pokegama Lake, Itasca County6,721 acres
- Gunflint Lake4,009 acres
- Rose Lake, Cook County1,410 acres
- Grindstone Lake533 acres
- West Bearskin Lake509 acres
- Hungry Jack Lake474 acres
- Eagles Nest #2 Lake388 acres
- Eagles Nest #1 Lake324 acres
- Little Long Lake near Ely, St. Louis County322 acres
- Trout Lake, Cook County259 acres
- Gilbert Pit243 acres
- Iron Chief Complex Lake207 acres
- Kennedy Lake, Itasca County99 acres
- Chester Lake52 acres
- Kinney Mine Pit45 acres
- Judson Mine Pit20 acres
Flowing water with rainbow smelt
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species grouped with rainbow smelt
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Answers before you chase rainbow smelt
Which Minnesota rules govern keeping rainbow smelt?
No limit (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
What is the biggest rainbow smelt caught in Minnesota?
The record book does not carry it.
Which Minnesota waters hold rainbow smelt?
Little Long Lake near Ely, St. Louis County leads the DNR gill net catch at 249.75 per net; 26 waters on this site list it.
Does the DNR stock rainbow smelt?
The stocking pages here do not list it.
Which features mark rainbow smelt?
With Lake Superior restored to a more natural state, these silver-colored fish, 6 to 9 inches long, no longer bring thousands of netters to the North Shore for the spring smelt run.
Does Minnesota close the season on rainbow smelt?
Continuous
Which license do rainbow smelt anglers buy in Minnesota?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Can I hire a trip for rainbow smelt?
All Minnesota operators are on the guides page.
Fish for rainbow smelt this season
Every listed water opens its own Minnesota page.