Minnesota regulations
Channel Catfish Regulations in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota Channel Catfish regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 5 fish; Season end Feb 28; Season start Nov 15. Sourced from DNR.
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"
Bois De Sioux River From White Rock Dam To The North Dakota BorderClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
may not be taken by spearing anytime
Eden Lake (Stearns)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Catfish special regulation repealed
Iowa-Minnesota Border Waters
- Daily bag
- 8 fish/day
combined total
Mississippi RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Non-certified record: 38 lbs, 0 oz
Mississippi River And Lake Pepin
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Max size
- 30"
combined total; only 1 catfish over 30" only 1 catfish over 30"
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"
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special regulation repealed
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"
St. Croix River Downstream Of Taylors Falls Dam To U.s. Hwy 10 Bridge
- Possession
- 5 fish
- Max size
- 24"
only 1 over 24"
St. Louis River Estuary And St. Croix Upstream Of Taylors Falls Dam
- Possession
- 10 fish
combined total
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
- https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/minnesota/fishing/special-regulations
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .