Minnesota regulations
Northern Pike Regulations in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota northern pike 2026 open seasons vary by 109 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR.
Rules (388)
Alexander Lake (Morrison)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Ann Lake (Carver)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Annie Battle Lake Including Inlet To Molly Stark Lake And Outlet To Blanche LakeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Annie Battle Lake Including Inlet To Molly Stark Lake And Outlet To Blanche Lake (Otter Tail)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Ash Lake (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Balsam Lake Including Connected Haskell And Scrapper Lakes (Itasca)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Bass Lake Near Burtrum North Of Long Lake (Todd)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 26"
all larger than 26" must be immediately released
Basswood LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Min size
- 46.25"
Non-certified record: 45 lbs, 12 oz Catch-and-release record
Basswood Lake (Includes Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist, And Back Bays)
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
All northern pike from 30-40" must be immediately released. Only 1 over 40" allowed in possession. Only 1 over 40" allowed in possession. All northern pike from 30-40" must be immediately released.
Basswood Lake (Lake)Open
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
Season is continuous. only 1 over 40" all from 30-40" must be immediately released
Bear Creek Reservoir (Chester Woods)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
Big Mantrap (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24‑36" must be immediately released
Big Swan Lake (Todd)
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Birch Lake Reservoir Including The South Kawishiwi River Upstream To The First Rapids North Of Minnesota Highway 1 Bridge (St. Louis)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Northern pike special regulation repealed
Blueberry Lake (Wadena)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Canada-Minnesota Border Waters
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Max size
- 30"
only 1 over 30" in possession
Cedar Lake (Morrison)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 26"
all larger than 26" must be immediately released
Center Lake, North And South (Chisago)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Child Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Coon-Sandwick Lake (Itasca)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Crow Wing Lakes, 10th
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Crow Wing Lakes, 10th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36".
Crow Wing Lakes, 5th
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Crow Wing Lakes, 5th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36".
Crow Wing Lakes, 5th And 6th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24‑36" must be immediately released
Crow Wing Lakes, 6th
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Crow Wing Lakes, 6th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36".
Crow Wing Lakes, 8th
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Crow Wing Lakes, 8th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36".
Crow Wing Lakes, 8th, 9th, And 10th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Crow Wing Lakes, 9th
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Crow Wing Lakes, 9th (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36".
Deer Lake (Beltrami)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24‑36" must be immediately released
Farm Lake (Lake)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Northern pike special regulation repealed
Fish Trap Lake (Morrison)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Gamehaven Lake (Boy Scout Lake Or Willow Reservoir No. 4)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
Garden Lake (Lake)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Northern pike special regulation repealed
George Lake (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24"-36" must be immediately released
Girl Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" only 1 over 36" allowed in possession all from 24"-36" must be immediately released
Gull Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Gull Lake Chain Including Connected Gull, Upper Gull, Margaret, Ray, Love, Nisswa, Roy, And Round Lakes (Crow Wing, Cass)
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40" all from 30-40" must be immediately released
Island Lake Near Northome (Itasca)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Knife Lake (Kanabec)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" allowed in possession all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Lake Of The WoodsOpen
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
No closed season only one northern pike over 40 inches may be possessed only one Northern Pike over 40 inches may be possessed must be immediately released
Lake Of The Woods And Rainy River To The Dam At International Falls And All Tributaries From The Mouth To The Upstream Boundary Listed On Page 67.
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Only 1 over 40" allowed in possession. Only 1 over 40" allowed in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediately released.
Lake Superior And Tributaries Below Posted BoundariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 10
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Possession
- 2 fish
Little Boy Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Little Floyd Lake (Becker)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Little Toad Lake (Becker)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Little Woman Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Long Lake Near Burtrum (Todd)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36" all from 24-36" must be immediately released
Love Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Manor Woods Pond (Country Club Pond)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Possession
- 1 fish
Margaret Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Medicine Lake (Beltrami)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Melissa Lake (Becker)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Mille Lacs Lake Including Tributaries To Posted Boundaries (Aitkin, Crow Wing And Mille Lacs Coun Ties)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Regulations for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, tullibee, and other fish species will be posted at public access sites and the DNR website at mndnr.gov/millelacslake.
Mink-Somers Lake Near Maple Lake (Wright)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Minnie Belle Lake (Meeker)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Mission Lakes, Lower
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Mission Lakes, Lower And Upper (Crow Wing)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Mission Lakes, Upper
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
only 1 over 36"
Mississippi River And Lake Pepin
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Max size
- 30"
only 1 over 30"
Mitchell Lake (Crow Wing)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Nisswa Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
North Star Lake Including Little North Star Lake (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
North Twin Lake (Beltrami)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
North-Central ZoneOut of season
- Season opens
- Nov 15
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 26"
Statewide aggregate per 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations (Inland Seasons and Limits, p.29-31). Not more than 2 over 26 inches; all pike 22-26 inches must be immediately released. either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26"
Northeast ZoneOut of season
- Season opens
- Nov 15
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 26"
only 1 northern pike over 26"
Rabbit Lakes, Big And East Big (Crow Wing)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24‑36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Rachel Lake And Little Rachel Lake (Douglas)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Max size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Rainy RiverOpen
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
No closed season only one northern pike over 40 inches may be possessed must be immediately released
Ray Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Red Lake, Upper Including Shotley Brook And Tamarac River
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40" allowed all from 30-40" must be immediately released
Red Lake, Upper Including Shotley Brook And Tamarac River (Beltrami County)
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Max size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40" allowed.
Round Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Roy Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Rush Lake, East And West (Chisago)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 26"
- Slot max
- 40"
all from 26-40" must be immediately released only 1 over 40"
Sallie Lake (Becker)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Shamineau Lake (Morrison)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
South Dakota-Minnesota Border WatersOut of season
- Season opens
- Nov 15
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
spearing 2026-2027 spearing
South Farm Lake (Lake)Open
- Status
- Permitted
special regulation repealed
Southern ZoneOut of season
- Season opens
- Nov 15
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 24"
Spider Lake (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
St. Croix River Downstream Of Taylors Falls Dam To U.s. Hwy 10 BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- May 2
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Max size
- 30"
only 1 over 30"
St. Croix River Upstream Of Taylors Falls DamOut of season
- Season opens
- May 2
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
St. Louis River EstuaryOut of season
- Season opens
- May 9
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
Sugar Lake (Wright)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24‑36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Turtle River Chain Of Lakes Including Connected Turtle River Lake, Little Turtle, Big Turtle, Movil, Beltrami, Fox Lakes, And The Turtle River From Little Turtle Lake Downstream To Fox Lake (Beltrami)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 30"
all from 22-30" must be immediately released only 1 over 30"
Upper Gull Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 40"
- Slot min
- 30"
- Slot max
- 40"
only 1 over 40"
Wabedo Lake (Cass)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
White Iron Lake (St. Louis And Lake)Open
- Status
- Permitted
special regulation repealed
Woman Lake (Cass)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 36"
- Slot min
- 24"
- Slot max
- 36"
all from 24-36" must be immediately released only 1 over 36"
Other Minnesota fish regulations
Other regulated species in Minnesota with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.
- 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
- Lake Trout30 rules
- Muskie (Muskellunge)20 rules
- Channel Catfish19 rules
- Yellow Perch17 rules
Frequently asked questions
When is Northern Pike season in Minnesota?
Northern Pike season in Minnesota runs from May 10 to Mar 1 per DNR.
What is the size limit for Northern Pike in Minnesota?
Minimum size for Northern Pike in Minnesota is 26 inches in Bass Lake Near Burtrum North Of Long Lake (Todd), per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Northern Pike in Minnesota?
Daily bag limit for Northern Pike in Minnesota is 3 fish in Alexander Lake (Morrison), per DNR.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/minnesota/fishing/special-regulations
- https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.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.