With over 10,000 lakes Minnesota holds a large variety of fish, and each one bigger than the last. They even have Ice fishing, why stop doing what you love when Minnesota allows you to fish year round. They only caveat is that Minnesota, like all the other states, has fishing license requirements, with corresponding fishing rules and regulations. Join us as we discuss the main points you should be aware of.

Minnesota Fishing Regulations

The State of Minnesota states:

  • The fish must be completely intact, including their heads, fins, skin, and be measurable
  • Any fish you eat on the day you caught them count toward your daily bag limit
  • You can use up to three single or multiple-pronged hooks on the end of one fishing line
  • On a trout stream or lake, you aren’t permitted to use more than one hook on the end of your line
  • You are permitted to have up to three artificial flies on one fishing line when you are fishing for trout, crappie, sunfish and rock bass
  • You can use only one line during the open water season
  • You can only use two lines through the ice except on designated trout lakes and streams
  • On trout lakes and streams, only one line is allowed at any time
    The bag Limits in Minnesota change regularly so check those before fishing

Fishing License Period

Minnesota fishing licenses are available as:

  • Daily fishing licenses
  • Annual fishing licenses
  • Lifetime fishing licenses

Extra Licensing Fees

Minnesota requires a separate fishing license for trout fishing.

Free or Reduced Fee Minnesota Fishing Licenses

The State of Minnesota offers free fishing licenses or reduced fishing licenses for :

  • Permanent angling license issued to any Minnesota resident over age 16 who is developmentally disabled
  • Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability
  • Foreign exchange students
  • Annual angling and/or spearing license may be issued to Minnesota residents who are:
    • Blind
    • Disabled and receiving a supplemental income (SSI, SSD, SSDI)
    • Receiving worker’s compensation for total and permanent disability
    • A foreign exchange student attending school in Minnesota
      Ward of the Commissioner of Human Services
    • A resident of a state institution that has an approved application
    • Minnesota Fishing Licenses are NOT Required For

Minnesota Fishing Licenses Are NOT Required For

If you fall into any of the below categories you’re in luck, because you aren’t required to have a fishing license:

  • Residents younger than 16
  • Residents 90 and older
  • Minnesota residents enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed outside the state, and home on leave (you must carry leave or furlough papers while fishing or transporting fish)
  • A Minnesota resident who has served in federal active service outside the U.S. during the preceding 24 months and is now discharged from overseas duty (you must carry discharge papers while fishing or transporting fish)
  • An in-patient of a U.S. Veterans Administration hospital
  • A resident of a Minnesota licensed nursing or boarding care home

Buy a Minnesota Fishing License