Minnesota regulations
Lake Sturgeon Regulations in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota Lake Sturgeon regulations as of 2026-05-08: Daily bag 1 fish/year; Season end Apr 23; Season start Oct 1. Sourced from DNR.
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
Kettle RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Certified weight record: 94 lbs, 4 oz
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
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.
North Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Apr 15
- Season closes
- Jun 15
each year
Rainy RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Anglers are allowed to catch-and-release lake sturgeon during this period (Mar 1 through Apr 23).
South Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Apr 15
- Season closes
- Jun 15
each year
St. Croix River
- Min size
- 78"
Catch-and-release record
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.
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.
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.
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
- https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf
- https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/fishing/low_rr/low-rr_winter.pdf
- https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/fishing/low_rr/rr_spring.pdf
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .