Special Fishing Regulations Now Proposed On Several Minnesota Waterbodies

Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so it goes without saying that there are countless people who love to fish throughout the state. So when the rules on the water are up for debate, anglers pay attention.

This summer, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for exactly that kind of attention. The agency is seeking public input on a batch of proposed special fishing regulations that would take effect for the 2027 season.

Each year, the DNR reviews its existing rules, floats new special regulations tailored to individual waters, and asks anglers to weigh in before anything is finalized. Existing special regulations are also reviewed regularly to see whether they are still doing their job.

The DNR says the proposals would either create new rules or adjust existing experimental and special regulations on several waterbodies, with species ranging from sunfish to walleye to northern pike.

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Which Waterbodies Are On The List

The proposed changes touch waters across six counties. Notices have already gone up at the accesses on each affected waterbody.

The waterbodies included are:

• Cedar Lake near Annandale (Wright County) – sunfish
• Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mine Pits (Crow Wing County) – northern pike
• German Lake (Otter Tail County) – sunfish
• Hovde Lake (Cass County) – sunfish
• Mink and Somers lakes (Wright County) – sunfish, walleye, and minnows
• Namakan Reservoir lakes (St. Louis County) – walleye
• North Ten Mile and South Ten Mile lakes (Otter Tail County) – sunfish
• Pine Lake (Cass County) – northern pike
• Pleasant Lake (Stearns County) – sunfish
• Rush Lake (Otter Tail County) – sunfish.

How To Share Your Opinion

The DNR is collecting feedback through an online questionnaire through Wednesday, September 30. Anglers who prefer a more direct route can also contact the appropriate area fisheries office by email, mail, or phone, with contact details available on the area fisheries office webpage.

The DNR notes that public meetings will be held in September to discuss the proposals and gather in-person comments. Meeting details are set to be posted by August 15.

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Why It Is Worth A Few Minutes

It is easy to assume these decisions get made in a back office somewhere, but the public-input window exists for a reason.

The rules that shape a slot limit or a bag limit on your favorite lake are genuinely open to feedback right now, and the people who fish these waters most often tend to know them best. A few minutes before September 30 is a small price for a say in how the next season plays out.