Walleye across Minnesota
Limits, records and DNR survey waters for walleye.
- 6 combined total (onlimit
- 17 lb 8 ozrecord
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walleye across Minnesota
Minnesota anglers meet Walleye (Sander vitreum), a member of the perch family. Under the DNR row for inland waters (statewide): 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20″ in possession), May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027.
The Minnesota record weighed 17 lb 8 oz, from Seagull River at Saganaga Lake (1979). Look for it in 1,726 surveyed lakes; 2,008 are on this site. Little Vanose Lake tops the gill net catch at 132 per net.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR writes about walleye
“The average walleye caught and kept is about 14 inches long and weighs slightly more than 1 pound. The walleye is named for its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment, called the tapetum lucidum, that helps it see and feed at night or in murky water.”
“The walleye is the most sought-after fish in Minnesota. Its thick, white fillets, handsome shape and coloring, and elusive nature make it the ultimate prize among anglers.”
“Sauger have a more limited distribution than walleye, and they don't grow as large. The two species look similar, but you can tell them apart by looking at the tip of the lower part of the tail. That part of the tail is white on a walleye but not on a sauger.”
- Walleye: no spots on dorsal fin; dark area at base of dorsal fin; white spot on bottom of tail.identification
- Walleye and sauger hybrid fillets are counted as part of a walleye possession limit during transportation.identification
- The walleye is named for its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment, called the tapetum lucidum, that helps it see and feed at night or in murky water.habitat
- Sauger have a more limited distribution than walleye, and they don't grow as large.habitat
- walleye pikealso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
Bag and season for walleye
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries | 2; minimum size 15" | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
walleye in the DNR record tables
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| non certified weight | 17 lb 8 oz | Seagull River at Saganaga Lake | Cook | 1979 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
walleye per gill net, best lakes
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Vanose Lake | 132 | 1.5-5.8 | 0.34 | 2017 |
| Clear Lake, Sibley County | 109.5 | 2.3-18.1 | 1.41 | 1988 |
| Tilde Lake | 60.5 | 2.3-18.1 | 1.56 | 2025 |
| Lannon Lake | 60 | 2.3-18.1 | 0.53 | 2024 |
| Mission Lake | 56 | 1.0-4.0 | 0.18 | 1991 |
| Red Lake (Upper Red) | 50.85 | 3.3-14.8 | 0.99 | 2025 |
| Malmedal Lake | 50.5 | 2.3-18.1 | 1.29 | 2010 |
| Lake Sarah | 46.67 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.11 | 2024 |
| Eagle Lake, Otter Tail County | 46.17 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.12 | 2014 |
| Katydid Lake | 46 | 1.0-7.2 | 1.35 | 2022 |
| Marion Lake, McLeod County | 44.83 | 1.0-7.3 | 1.04 | 2019 |
| Artichoke Lake | 44.33 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.17 | 2021 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Waters for walleye
Lake pages listing walleye
- 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
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Vermilion Lake39,272 acres
- Lac la Croix29,597 acres
- Basswood Lake25,953 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Kabetogama Lake24,034 acres
- Saganaga Lake18,767 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Pelican Lake, St. Louis County11,546 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- Crooked Lake near Winton, St. Louis County10,360 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
River pages listing walleye
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Vermilion RiverSt. Louis
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Island RiverLake
- Mustinka RiverGrant
- Cross RiverCook
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Operators listing walleye
- Action Fishing ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 355-8540
- Angler Management ChartersLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (218) 390-7933
- Superior Pursuits Charter FishingLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (906) 360-7513
- Walleyedan's Guide Servicefishing guide (season not stated), Nisswa, (218) 839-5598
Relatives of walleye
- Saugerperch family
- Saugeyeperch family
- Yellow perchperch family
Water you can reach from Walleye, pictured
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
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What Minnesota anglers ask about walleye
Which size rule covers walleye in Minnesota?
6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) (Inland waters (statewide)), season May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027.
How heavy is the Minnesota record walleye?
17 lb 8 oz from Seagull River at Saganaga Lake (1979).
Where do Minnesota anglers find walleye?
Little Vanose Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 132 per net; 2,016 waters on this site list it.
Will the DNR stock walleye this year?
175 rows on the DNR area stocking pages, such as Bear.
Which other names does the DNR use for walleye?
Walleye: no spots on dorsal fin; dark area at base of dorsal fin; white spot on bottom of tail.
Which months allow keeping walleye in Minnesota?
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Which license do walleye anglers carry in Minnesota?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which guides target walleye?
4 guides list it, including Action Fishing Charters.
Chase walleye across Minnesota
Choose any Minnesota lake or stream listed above.