USA · Midwest
Minnesota
Fishing License 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Simple license
Best fishing times
·Minnesota46.70°, -94.70°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Online, DNR offices, license agents.
- Cost
- Resident annual: $25. Non-resident annual: $51. 72-hour non-res: $36. 24-hour: $14 resident / $14 non-res. Senior (65+) resident: $13.
- Validity
- Annual (Mar 1 – Feb 28) or 24/72-hour
- Available online?
- Yes
'Land of 10,000 Lakes' (actually 11,842 over 10 acres). Walleye is the state fish. Required for ages 16+. Separate trout stamp ($10) required for designated trout streams. Muskie/sturgeon: regulated but no extra stamp.
Buy fishing license for Minnesota online
www.dnr.state.mn.us
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Walleye + northern pike + smallmouth bass: closed March – early May (opener is second Saturday in May, the 'MN fishing opener' state holiday). Muskie: closed until first Saturday in June.
- Catch limits
- Walleye: 6/day statewide (slot on some lakes: Mille Lacs 1 fish 20–23" slot). Northern pike: 10/day (zone-dependent protected slots). Muskie: 1/day 54" minimum. Smallmouth/largemouth: 6 combined /day.
- Prohibited methods
- No live minnows outside designated zones during spring spawn on some lakes. Spearing allowed in winter for pike.
- Catch & Release
- Required for muskie outside 54" minimum (most fish). Encouraged for walleye outside slot on Mille Lacs.
Mille Lacs Lake has its own walleye regulations annually set by DNR + Chippewa tribal co-management. Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) requires overnight permit for camping.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Lake of the Woods (walleye + sauger — 65 miles long, shared with Canada)
- —Mille Lacs Lake ('Walleye Factory', central MN)
- —Leech Lake (walleye + muskie + pike, northern MN)
- —Boundary Waters Canoe Area (wilderness lake trout + smallmouth)
- —Mississippi River (walleye + smallmouth — headwaters at Lake Itasca)
- Best season
- Walleye opener (2nd Sat May). Muskie: June–October. Ice fishing: Dec–March. Smallmouth: June–August.
- Freshwater
- 11,842 lakes. Boundary Waters (BWCA) for wilderness lake trout. Northern lakes for trophy walleye/muskie/pike.
- Saltwater
- None.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- Gander Outdoors, local bait shops in every resort town. Ice shanty rentals on Mille Lacs + Lake of the Woods in winter.
- Fishing guides
- $300–$500/day walleye launch. $400–$800/day muskie. $200–$400 ice fishing guide.
- Transport
- MSP (Minneapolis-St Paul). Rental car + trailer often needed. BWCA requires canoe + portage gear.
- Safety
- Summer mosquitoes brutal. Winter wind chills −40°F possible — dress in layers. Ice fishing: 4" walking, 8" ATV, 12" full-size truck. Black bears.
05
Cost Overview
- License fees
- $14–$51 depending on duration + residency
- Guide prices
- $200–$800/day depending on species + trip type
- Daily budget
- Budget: $80/day. Resort packages: $150–$300/day.