Shovelnose sturgeon across Minnesota
Finding and keeping shovelnose sturgeon under Minnesota rules.
- Catch-and-release onlimit
- 6 lb 7 ozrecord
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Where shovelnose sturgeon fit in Minnesota
The DNR files Shovelnose sturgeon under the sturgeon family. The inland waters (statewide; see border waters for other sturgeon waters) rule allows Catch-and-release only; no tag/endorsement needed.; season June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year).
Mississippi River near Red Wing gave up the state record of 6 lb 7 oz in 2012. Survey crews found it in 2 lakes, 2 of which have pages. At 0.22 per gill net, Allie Lake leads the lakes on this site.
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| 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.
Minnesota record shovelnose sturgeon
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 6 lb 7 oz | Mississippi River near Red Wing | Goodhue | 2012 |
| catch and release | 36.5 in | Mississippi River | Winona | 2025 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Where the shovelnose sturgeon surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allie Lake | 0.22 | 2019 | ||
| Lake Pepin | 0.04 | 2024 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for shovelnose sturgeon
Lakes with shovelnose sturgeon
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Allie Lake509 acres
Streams with shovelnose sturgeon
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish grouped with shovelnose sturgeon
- Lake sturgeonsturgeon family
Photos of places near Shovelnose sturgeon
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pete Nelson ( PeteNelson at English Wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Minnesota shovelnose sturgeon, asked by anglers
What is the limit on shovelnose sturgeon?
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).
What is the Minnesota record shovelnose sturgeon?
6 lb 7 oz from Mississippi River near Red Wing (2012).
Which waters produce shovelnose sturgeon?
Allie Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 0.22 per net; 3 waters on this site list it.
Are shovelnose sturgeon on the stocking pages?
Not on the DNR area stocking pages collected here.
What scientific name does the DNR use for shovelnose sturgeon?
See the DNR profile.
Is shovelnose sturgeon season open right now in Minnesota?
June 16 – April 14 (same dates every year)
Is a stamp needed for shovelnose sturgeon?
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 shovelnose sturgeon?
See the guides page.