Minnesota regulations
Walleye Regulations in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota walleye 2026 open seasons vary by 109 management regions. Statewide rules apply for 6/day. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR.
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Rules (324)
Minnesota statewide
- Daily bag
- 6 fish/day
Statewide aggregate per 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations (Inland Seasons and Limits, p.29-31). Combined limit Walleye + Sauger (and their hybrid). Only 1 walleye over 20 inches in possession.
Aitkin Lake Including Area Known As Aitkin Flowage
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Ash River To Ash River Falls
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Big Pine Lake (Otter Tail)
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Big Sandy Lake And Connected Waters (Aitkin)
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released
Cloquet River From Mouth Of Island Reservoir Upstream 0.5 Miles To Rapids
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Crane Lake Including Vermilion Gorge And Echo River From Mouth Upstream To County Highway 424 Bridge (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined, only 4 may be walleye. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Cut Foot Sioux Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Davis Lake Including Bay Known As Steamboat Lake
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Egg Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Farm Island Lake (Aitkin)
- Min size
- 20"
- Max size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 19"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession all from 16-19" must be immediately released
Farm Lake (Lake)
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession All from 17-26" must be immediately released
First River
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Fish Lake Reservoir (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 13"
- Slot max
- 17"
except 1 over 26" allowed in possession all less than 13" or greater than 17" must be immediately released
Flowage Lake
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Four Mile BayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All Walleye must be returned to the water immediately. Effective March 1, 2026 – April 14, 2026
Fourmile Bay Of Lake Of The WoodsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Effective Mar. 1 – Apr. 14; All Walleye and Sauger must be returned to the water immediately.
Garden Lake (Lake)
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only one over 26" allowed in possession all from 17-26" must be immediately released
Green Lake (Chisago)
- Min size
- 17"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Horseshoe Lake And Connected Minnewawa Lake (Aitkin)
- Possession
- 3 fish
Island Lake Near Northome (Itasca)
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 17-26" must be immediately released
Island Lake Reservoir
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Island Lake Reservoir Including Cloquet River From Mouth Of Island Reservoir Upstream 0.5 Miles To Rapids And Otter River From Mouth Of Island Reservoir Upstream To Boulder Reservoir Dam (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Max size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
only 1 over 20" all from 15-20" must be immediately released
Kabekona Lake (Hubbard)
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 20-26" must be immediately released
Kabetogama Lake
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Kabetogama Lake Including Sullivan Bay And Ash River To Ash River Falls (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Kerbs Lake
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Knife Lake (Kanabec)
- Min size
- 24"
- Max size
- 24"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 24"
only 1 over 24" allowed in possession all from 18-24" must be immediately released
Lac Qui Parle Lake Upstream To Marsh Lake Dam
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Lac Qui Parle Lake Upstream To Marsh Lake Dam, Including The Watson Sag Upstream To The Diversion Dam (Lac Qui Parle And Chippewa)
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Lake Of The Woods
- Daily bag
- 4 fish
- Max size
- 28"
- Slot min
- 19.5"
- Slot max
- 28"
aggregate limit with Sauger is six; no more than four can be Walleye Only one Walleye over 28 inches total length may be possessed. must be immediately released
Lake Superior And Tributaries Below Posted BoundariesIn season
- Season opens
- May 10
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 15"
Leech Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 20"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Lida Lakes, North
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Lida Lakes, South
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Lida Lakes, South And North, Including Mud Lake (Otter Tail)
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 17-26" must be immediately released
Little Boy Lake (Cass)
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Little Cormorant Lake (Becker)
- Min size
- 17"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Little McDonald Lake
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Little McDonald Lake Including Kerbs Lake (Otter Tail)
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 17-26" must be immediately released
Little Pine Lake Including Mud Lake West Of County Hwy 51 And Up To 425th Avenue (Otter Tail)
- Min size
- 26"
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Little Vermilion Lake
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Little Vermilion Lake Including Loon River To Loon River Falls Portage (St. Louis)
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession all from 18-26" must be immediately released
Loon River To Loon River Falls Portage
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Mandall Lake (Chisago)
- Min size
- 17"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
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)
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 17"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Minnehaha Creek Downstream From Minnehaha FallsCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Minnesota River Downstream From The Mendota BridgeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Minnewawa Lake And Connected Horseshoe Lake (Aitkin)
- Possession
- 3 fish
Mississippi River (Dakota)
- Min size
- 15"
From the Hastings dam downstream to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border (inland waters of Pool 3)
Mississippi River (Dakota) From The Hastings Dam Downstream To The Minnesota–Wisconsin Border (Inland Waters Of Pool 3)
- Min size
- 15"
Mississippi River Downstream Of Lock And Dam 8
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 27"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 27"
only 1 walleye over 27" must be immediately released
Mississippi River Pools 3-8 Including Lake Pepin
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
combined total; only 1 walleye or sauger over 20"
Mississippi River To Knutson Dam
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Moose Lake Near Deer River (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 24"
- Max size
- 24"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
all from 20-24" must be immediately released only 1 over 24" allowed in possession
Mud Lake (Otter Tail)
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Namakan Lake (St. Louis)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 18-26" must be immediately released combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
North Branch Kawishiwi River From Farm Lake 4.8 Miles East To The Long Portage
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Osakis And Little Osakis Lakes (Douglas And Todd)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Otter River From Mouth Of Island Reservoir Upstream To Boulder Reservoir Dam
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 20"
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
Pigeon River To Pigeon Lake Dam
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Pool 2 Of The Mississippi River Between The Hastings Dam And The Ford Dam, Including All Backwater Lakes And Connecting Waters Except Crosby, Pickerel, Upper, Little Pigs Eye, And North Star Steel LakesCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Prairie River From Confluence With Tamarack River Downstream To Confluence With Big Sandy Lake
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Rabour Lake (Chisago)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 17"
- Max size
- 20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Rainy Lake Including The Rainy River Above The Dam At International Falls, All Of Rainy Lake To The Dam At Kettle Falls, Black Bay Including Gold Portage Below The Rapids, All Of The Rat Root River, And Rat Root Lake (Koochiching And St. Louis)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Max size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
All walleye from 18‑26" must be immediately released only 1 walleye over 26" allowed in possession
Rainy RiverCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Effective Mar. 1 – Apr. 14; All Walleye and Sauger must be returned to the water immediately.
Raven Flowage To Raven Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Red Lake, Upper Including Shotley Brook And Tamarac River (Beltrami County)Open
- Status
- Permitted
Restrictions or changes will be posted at public access sites and on the DNR website. A person’s statewide possession limit may not include more than the current daily limit of Red Lake walleye.
Round Lake Near Squaw Lake Including The Popple River Downstream To State Highway Bridge 46 (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
all from 20-24" must be immediately released only 1 over 24" allowed in possession
Saganaga Lake Including Gull Lake And The Sea Gull River (Cook)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 17"
only 1 over 20" repealed
Sand Lake And Connecting Waters (Itasca County)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
only 1 over 24" allowed in possession all walleye 20-24" must be immediately released
Sand Lake Including Connecting Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand Lake, Portage Lake And Bowstring River Upstream To County Road 35 Bridge And Downstream To The County Road 145 Bridge (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
all 17-26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Sand Point Lake (St. Louis)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 6 fish
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 18-26" must be immediately released combined, only 4 may be walleye
Sandy River From State Highway 210 Downstream To Confluence With The Mississippi River
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Sandy River Lake
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
Sea Gull Lake Including Alpine River Between Alpine Lake And Sea Gull Lake (Cook)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 17"
only 1 over 20" repealed
South Farm Lake (Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 17-26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Splithand Lake Including Moody’s Creek Upstream To County Road 432 (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
all from 20-24" must be immediately released only 1 over 24" allowed in possession
St. Croix River Downstream Of Taylors Falls Dam To The U.s. Hwy 10 BridgeOut of season
- Season opens
- May 2
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 4 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
combined total; only 1 walleye or sauger over 20"
St. Croix River Upstream Of Taylors Falls DamOut of season
- Season opens
- May 2
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Min size
- 15"
St. Louis River EstuaryOut of season
- Season opens
- May 9
- Season closes
- Mar 1
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
combined total
Sugar Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Sullivan Bay
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
possession limit 6 combined with sauger, only 4 may be walleye only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Swan Lake Including Swan River Downstream To Dam, Upstream To County Road 12, And Connected Streams (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
all from 20-24" must be immediately released only 1 over 24" allowed in possession
Third River Flowage To Little Dixon Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Trout Lake Near Coleraine (Itasca)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
all from 20‑24" must be immediately released only 1 over 24" allowed in possession
Venstrom Lake (Otter Tail)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 17‑26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Vermilion Lake (St. Louis)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 20-26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26"
Wabedo Lake (Cass)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 18-26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26"
Waconia Lake (Carver)
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 16"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Watson Sag Upstream To The Diversion Dam
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Min size
- 20"
only 1 over 20"
West Savanna River From County Highway 14 Downstream To Confluence With The Prairie River
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 26"
all less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. only 1 over 26" allowed in possession.
White Iron Lake (St. Louis And Lake)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 26"
- Slot min
- 17"
- Slot max
- 26"
all from 17‑26" must be immediately released only 1 over 26" allowed in possession
Winnibigoshish Lake
- Possession
- 1
- Min size
- 23"
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
only 1 over 23" allowed in possession all from 18-23" must be immediately released
Winnibigoshish Lake And Connected Waters (Beltrami, Cass, And Itasca): Mississippi River To Knutson Dam, Third River Flowage To Little Dixon Lake, Pigeon River To Pigeon Lake Dam, First River, Egg Lake Through Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Raven Flowage To Raven Lake, And Sugar Lake.Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 18"
- Slot max
- 23"
all from 18‑23" must be immediately released only 1 over 23" allowed in possession
Walleye on famous Minnesota waters
Dedicated rule pages for Walleye on the most-targeted destinations in Minnesota.
- Lake of the WoodsWalleye
- Mille Lacs LakeWalleye
- Leech LakeWalleye
- Rainy LakeWalleye
- Lake VermilionWalleye
- Lake SuperiorWalleye
Other Minnesota fish regulations
Other regulated species in Minnesota with current rule pages — same DNR source, same verification cadence.
- Northern Pike388 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 Walleye season in Minnesota?
Walleye season in Minnesota runs from May 10 to Mar 1 per DNR.
What is the size limit for Walleye in Minnesota?
Minimum size for Walleye in Minnesota is 14 inches in Aitkin Lake Including Area Known As Aitkin Flowage, per DNR. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.
What is the daily bag limit for Walleye in Minnesota?
Daily bag limit for Walleye in Minnesota is 3 fish/day in Iowa-Minnesota Border Waters, 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://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/fishing/low_rr/low-rr_winter.pdf
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch.