New Angling Limits Added On Several Species Of Fish In Minnesota

Every year, as outdoor enthusiasts look forward to getting out for a change of season, there are also rules and regulations to keep in mind.

Beginning Saturday, March 1, the new fishing license year begins in Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will have changes in place throughout the state.

Bethany Bethke, the fisheries rules and regulations coordinator, urges all anglers to review the Minnesota Fishing Regulations for 2025 book to become familiar with all of the changes.

Minnesota Fishing Regulations Changes For 2025

According to the DNR, 2025 changes include newly established daily and possession limits for several species of fish and numerous other regulation changes impacting individual waters.

The new daily and possession limits, which are available starting on page 13 of the 2025 regulations book, will be in place on the following fish:

• American eel
• Yellow bass
• Whitefish
• Cisco
• Burbot

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The Minnesota DNR says it added limits on whitefish, cisco, and burbot to protect their populations from over-exploitation. In past years these fish had been classified as rough fish and had no limits on how many could be kept.

For the American eel, a rare fish in Minnesota, there is no harvest allowed, reflecting their rare status and need for protection.

Lastly, for yellow bass, the limit for this game fish is set at 30, which is a combined limit between yellow bass and white bass, because many anglers may not be able to tell the difference between them. In some instances where yellow bass is proliferating, special regulations with higher bag limits may be used.

Additional New Regulations In Minnesota

The DNR adds that other new regulations for 2025 include those for several species in the St. Croix River downstream of the Taylors Falls dam, and those regulations can be found starting on page 74 of the regulations.

In Canada-Minnesota border waters, several portions of rivers are now included in the border waters regulations, and those regulations can be found starting on pages 60-64 and page 67.

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Additionally, there are new and modified regulations in effect for 14 other waters, located in Chippewa, Cook, Lake, Lac qui Parle, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Stearns, and Todd counties.

Again, Minnesota anglers are advised to check the regulations book for updated regulations available March 1 on the Minnesota DNR website. Printed copies will also be available by March 1 anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold.