CatchRules

Home › Regulations › Minnesota › Walleye

Minnesota regulations

Walleye Regulations in Minnesota 2026

Minnesota Walleye regulations as of 2026-05-08: Max size 26 inches; Min size 14 inches; Possession 4 fish. Sourced from DNR.

DNRVerified Official source

About Walleye →

Rules (325)

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
Bass Lake Near Burtrum North Of Long Lake (Todd)
Possession
2 fish
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
Cedar Lake (Morrison)
Possession
2 fish
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"
Coon Lake (Anoka)
Min size
17"
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
Crawford Lake (Wright)
Possession
2 fish
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
Goose Lake (Chisago)
Min size
17"
Green Lake (Chisago)
Min size
17"
Max size
20"
only 1 over 20" allowed in possession
Green Lake (Kandiyohi)
Possession
3 fish
Horseshoe Lake
Possession
3 fish
Horseshoe Lake (Aitkin)
Possession
3 fish
Horseshoe Lake And Connected Minnewawa Lake (Aitkin)
Possession
3 fish
Iowa-Minnesota Border Waters
Daily bag
3 fish/day
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
La Salle Lake (Hubbard)
Possession
2 fish
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
Possession
3 fish
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
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
15"
Max size
27"
Slot min
20"
Slot max
27"
combined total; all walleye from 20-27" must be immediately released, only 1 walleye over 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
Mule Lake (Cass)
Possession
3 fish
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
Seagull RiverOpen
Status
Permitted
Non-certified record: 17 lbs, 8 oz
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
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Min size
15"
combined total
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.

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

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR before keeping a catch. Last verified .

← All Minnesota fishing regulations