Shorthead redhorse across Minnesota
Limits, records and lakes for shorthead redhorse.
- No limitlimit
- 12 lb 10 ozrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake of the Woods: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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About Minnesota shorthead redhorse
Shorthead redhorse counts among the sucker family in Minnesota. Anglers may keep No limit in inland waters (statewide), Continuous.
In 2005, Kettle River produced the record of 12 lb 10 oz. It shows up in DNR surveys of 232 lakes (267 with pages here). Lower Twin Lake, Wadena County posted the top gill net rate, 14.67 per net.
shorthead redhorse limits and seasons
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | No limit | Continuous |
| Inland waters | 50 each | Early season March 1 – April 30 (south of Hwy 210, lakes and Minnesota/Mississippi/St. Croix rivers, from a bo |
| Inland waters | 50 | Spearing April 25, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027; harpooning, dip net and seine May 1, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 (sunrise to |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
The shorthead redhorse record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 12 lb 10 oz | Kettle River | Pine | 2005 |
| certified weight | 7 lb 15 oz | Rum River near Ramsey | Anoka | 1983 |
| certified weight | 4 lb 8 oz | Otter Tail River | Otter Tail | 2018 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Top shorthead redhorse catch rates in DNR surveys
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Twin Lake, Wadena County | 14.67 | 0.2-0.8 | 1.59 | 2023 |
| Schlamm Lake | 11.33 | 11.3 | 1.49 | 1976 |
| Nina Moose Lake | 11 | 0.9-9.5 | 0.17 | 1976 |
| Silver Lake, Olmsted County | 9 | 0.67 | 2007 | |
| Rice Lake near Brainerd, Crow Wing County | 8.78 | 0.7-3.0 | 1.11 | 2021 |
| Marsh, Big Stone County | 7.75 | 0.6-2.8 | 1.55 | 2015 |
| Knife Lake, Kanabec County | 7.58 | 0.6-2.8 | 2.05 | 2025 |
| Rice Lake, Stearns County | 6 | 0.2-1.2 | 2.24 | 2024 |
| Lac qui Parle | 5 | 0.6-2.8 | 1.65 | 2016 |
| Sand Lake near Squaw Lake, Itasca County | 4.87 | 0.1-0.5 | 2.14 | 2017 |
| Zumbro Lake | 4.83 | 2.06 | 2015 | |
| Shannon Lake | 4.75 | 1.1-4.0 | 1.55 | 1986 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
shorthead redhorse across the state
Where to fish lakes for shorthead redhorse
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Rainy Lake, St. Louis County210,200 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Basswood Lake25,953 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Kabetogama Lake24,034 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Island Lake Reservoir8,001 acres
- Whitefish Lake near Manhattan Beach, Crow Wing County7,714 acres
- Burntside Lake7,314 acres
- Bemidji Lake (main lake)6,596 acres
- Big Sandy Lake6,125 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
Rivers and creeks for shorthead redhorse
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Hay Creek, Goodhue CountyGoodhue
- Hay Creek, Pine CountyPine
- Hay Creek, Carlton CountyCarlton
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species listed with shorthead redhorse
- Bigmouth buffalosucker family
- Smallmouth buffalosucker family
- White suckersucker family
- Silver redhorsesucker family
- Quillbacksucker family
Pictures of water close to Shorthead redhorse
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
,_Cottage_Grove,_Minnesota_-_Hazen_P_Mooers_Park,_Grey_Cloud_Island_(40718111060).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Tyler Vigen, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Appraiser at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Photo: Ben Franske ( BenFranske ) ( BenFranske at en.wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 2.5
Handy answers on shorthead redhorse
May Minnesota anglers keep shorthead redhorse?
No limit (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
Which Minnesota water gave up the record shorthead redhorse?
12 lb 10 oz from Kettle River (2005).
Which lakes hold shorthead redhorse?
Lower Twin Lake, Wadena County leads the DNR gill net catch at 14.67 per net; 274 waters on this site list it.
Where does the DNR stock shorthead redhorse?
None listed on the area pages.
How do I tell shorthead redhorse from similar fish?
See the DNR profile.
When does Minnesota shorthead redhorse season open and close?
Continuous
Do kids need a license for shorthead redhorse?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which guides list shorthead redhorse?
No Minnesota guide names it; see the guides page.
Plan a Minnesota shorthead redhorse trip
Pick a lake from the lists on this page.