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Minnesota regulations

Lake Sturgeon Regulations in Minnesota 2026

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

DNROfficial source

About Lake Sturgeon →

Rules (31)

Canada-Minnesota Border WatersCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Oct 1
Season closes
Apr 23
Daily bag
1 fish/year
Min size
75"
Slot min
45"
Slot max
50"
Catch-and-release only. No tag/endorsement needed. of following year fish must be 45-50" inclusive, or over 75". fish must be over 75". fish must be 45-50" inclusive
Verified · View official source ↗
Kettle RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Certified weight record: 94 lbs, 4 oz
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Of The WoodsCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Catch and release fishing is allowed during this time period. Effective Oct. 1, 2025 through Apr. 23, 2026
Verified · View official source ↗
Mississippi River Above The Red Wing Dam To The Mouth Of The St. Croix RiverCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Mar 1
no tag/endorsement needed.
Verified · View official source ↗
North Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Apr 15
Season closes
Jun 15
each year
Verified · View official source ↗
Rainy RiverCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Anglers are allowed to catch-and-release lake sturgeon during this period (Mar 1 through Apr 23).
Verified · View official source ↗
South Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Apr 15
Season closes
Jun 15
each year
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Croix River
Min size
78"
Catch-and-release record
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Croix River Downstream Of Taylors Falls Dam To Mouth Including Lake St. CroixCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Oct 1
Season closes
Mar 1
Daily bag
1 fish/year
Min size
60"
no tag/endorsement needed. A sturgeon tag/endorsement is needed to harvest a lake sturgeon.
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Croix River Upstream Of Taylors Falls DamCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Mar 1
no tag/endorsement needed.
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Louis River Estuary And The Mississippi River Below The Red Wing Dam And Lake PepinCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Apr 14
no tag/endorsement needed.
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

Lake Sturgeon is also called Sturgeon. 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 Lake Sturgeon season in Minnesota?

Lake Sturgeon season in Minnesota runs from Oct 1 to Apr 23 per DNR.

What is the size limit for Lake Sturgeon in Minnesota?

Minimum size for Lake Sturgeon in Minnesota is 75 inches in Canada-Minnesota Border Waters, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Lake Sturgeon in Minnesota?

Daily bag limit for Lake Sturgeon in Minnesota is 1 fish/year in Canada-Minnesota Border Waters, 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