Minnesota regulations
Lake Trout Regulations in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota lake trout 2026 open seasons vary by 15 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 2/day. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR.
Rules (30)
Minnesota statewide
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Statewide aggregate per 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations (Inland Seasons and Limits, p.29-31). Summer: May 9 - Sept 30. Winter: Jan 17 - Mar 31 outside BWCAW; Jan 1 - Mar 31 inside BWCAW.
Canada-Minnesota Border WatersIn season
- Season opens
- May 9
- Season closes
- Sep 30
(SUMMER)
Lake SuperiorOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Min size
- 43.25"
Non-certified record: 43 lbs, 8 oz Catch-and-release record
Lake Superior And Tributaries Below Posted BoundariesIn season
- Season opens
- Dec 1
- Season closes
- Oct 4
- Possession
- 3 fish
2025-2026 season
Lakes Entirely Within The Bwcaw.Out of season
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Mar 31
(WINTER) 2027 Season
Lakes Outside Or Partly Outside The BwcawOut of season
- Season opens
- Jan 16
- Season closes
- Mar 15
(WINTER) 2027 Season
Little Trout Lake (St. Louis)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Mahnomen Mine And Connected Alstead And Arco Mines (Crow Wing)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
Other Minnesota fish regulations
Other regulated species in Minnesota with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.
- Northern Pike388 rules
- Walleye324 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)322 rules
- Largemouth Bass162 rules
- Smallmouth Bass140 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)135 rules
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)123 rules
- Lake Sturgeon31 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)20 rules
- Channel Catfish19 rules
- Yellow Perch17 rules
Also known as
Lake Trout is also called lakers. 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 Trout season in Minnesota?
Lake Trout season in Minnesota runs from May 9 to Sep 30 per DNR.
What is the size limit for Lake Trout in Minnesota?
Minimum size for Lake Trout in Minnesota is 20 inches in Alstead Mine, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Minnesota?
Daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Minnesota is 2 fish/day, 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
- https://www.eregulations.com/minnesota/fishing/fishing-seasons-limits
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch.