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Minnesota regulations

Channel Catfish Regulations in Minnesota 2026

Minnesota channel catfish 2026 open seasons vary by 11 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR.

DNROfficial source

About Channel Catfish →

Rules (19)

All Inland Waters Except Where ProhibitedOut of season
Season opens
Nov 15
Season closes
Feb 28
Daily bag
5 fish
Min size
24"
only 1 over 24"
Verified · View official source ↗
Bois De Sioux River From White Rock Dam To The North Dakota BorderClosed
Status
Prohibited
may not be taken by spearing anytime
Verified · View official source ↗
Eden Lake (Stearns)Open
Status
Permitted
Catfish special regulation repealed
Verified · View official source ↗
Iowa-Minnesota Border Waters
Daily bag
8 fish/day
combined total
Verified · View official source ↗
Mississippi RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Non-certified record: 38 lbs, 0 oz
Verified · View official source ↗
Mississippi River And Lake Pepin
Possession
10 fish
Max size
30"
combined total; only 1 catfish over 30" only 1 catfish over 30"
Verified · View official source ↗
North Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersClosed
Status
Prohibited
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Max size
24"
catfish may not be speared at any time. only 1 over 24"
Verified · View official source ↗
Sauk River Chain Of Lakes From Highway 23 Downstream To The Cold Spring Dam Including Becker, Bolfing, Cedar Island, Great Northern, Horseshoe, Knaus, Krays, Schneider And Zumwalde Lakes (Stearns)Open
Status
Permitted
special regulation repealed
Verified · View official source ↗
South Dakota-Minnesota Border Waters
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Max size
24"
combined total. Not more than 2 can be flathead (only 1 catfish over 24"). only 1 catfish over 24"
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Croix River Downstream Of Taylors Falls Dam To U.s. Hwy 10 Bridge
Possession
5 fish
Max size
24"
only 1 over 24"
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Louis River Estuary And St. Croix Upstream Of Taylors Falls Dam
Possession
10 fish
combined total
Verified · View official source ↗

Other Minnesota fish regulations

Other regulated species in Minnesota with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.

Also known as

Channel Catfish is also called Catfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Minnesota.

Frequently asked questions

When is Channel Catfish season in Minnesota?

Channel Catfish season in Minnesota runs from Nov 15 to Feb 28 per DNR.

What is the size limit for Channel Catfish in Minnesota?

Minimum size for Channel Catfish in Minnesota is 24 inches in All Inland Waters Except Where Prohibited, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Minnesota?

Daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Minnesota is 5 fish in All Inland Waters Except Where Prohibited, per DNR.

Official sources cited

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch.

← All Minnesota fishing regulations