In this article
Do You Need a Fishing License in Minnesota?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a fishing license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to fish any public water in the state. The license is required year-round, including during ice fishing season.
Anglers under 16 fish free but count toward a parent's bag limit. Residents over 90 fish free but must request a no-cost license through the DNR.
Minnesota requires a trout stamp ($10) in addition to the base license to keep trout or salmon, or to fish designated trout streams and lakes.
How Much Does a Minnesota Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual individual fishing license costs $25. A resident married couple license is $40. Non-residents pay $51 for the annual license.
Short-term options include a 24-hour license ($14), 3-day non-resident license ($36), and 7-day non-resident license ($43). The trout stamp adds $10 regardless of resident status.
Seniors 65 and older pay $13.50 for the resident annual license. Disabled veterans and active-duty military stationed in Minnesota qualify for free or reduced-rate licenses through the DNR.
Where to Buy a Minnesota Fishing License
Buy online at mndnr.gov/licenses or through the Minnesota DNR mobile app. Licenses are issued instantly and stored digitally on your phone.
Over 1,700 retail agents sell licenses, including Fleet Farm, Cabela's, Scheels, Walmart, and most bait shops near major fishing lakes. DNR area offices also issue licenses.
By phone, call 888-665-4236 to purchase. Print a temporary license confirmation immediately, since fish wardens accept it as valid proof.
Minnesota Free Fishing Weekend 2026
Minnesota holds one free fishing weekend each year. In 2026, you can fish without a license on June 6-7. No trout stamp is required on free fishing weekend either.
All other regulations apply, including walleye limits, slot limits on specific lakes, and the catch-and-release-only periods. Mille Lacs Lake regulations still apply.
Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (Mother's Day weekend) and Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (Father's Day weekend) also allow license-free fishing for adults accompanying a child or mother.
Minnesota Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Statewide walleye limit is 6 fish daily with only 1 over 20 inches. Mille Lacs Lake operates under separate annual regulations set by treaty negotiations — check the DNR site before fishing.
Northern pike limits vary by zone: North-Central zone allows 10 daily with restrictions on size; Northeast zone allows 2 daily with a protected slot. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 6-fish combined limit.
Trout streams require the $10 trout stamp. Catch-and-release-only sections exist on the South Branch Whitewater, Whitewater main stem, and parts of the Root River system.
Best Fishing Spots in Minnesota
Lake of the Woods is the walleye capital of the state, producing trophy fish year-round including a winter ice fishing season that runs into March. Rainy Lake and Vermilion are also top walleye destinations.
Mille Lacs Lake produces massive smallmouth bass and trophy muskie. Leech Lake is the muskie factory of Minnesota, with fish exceeding 50 inches each year.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers some of the best lake trout and smallmouth fishing in the country. The Driftless Area in southeast Minnesota holds wild brown trout in spring-fed streams.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual license is $25. Non-residents pay $51 annually or $36 for 3 days. A married couple resident license is $40. The trout stamp adds $10.
Yes. A $10 trout stamp is required to keep trout or salmon, or to fish any designated trout stream or lake. It applies to both residents and non-residents.
Minnesota's 2026 free fishing weekend is June 6-7. No license or trout stamp is needed, but all bag limits, size limits, and lake-specific regulations apply.
Buy online at mndnr.gov/licenses or through the Minnesota DNR app. Licenses issue instantly and can be displayed digitally on your phone.
The statewide walleye limit is 6 fish daily with only 1 over 20 inches. Mille Lacs Lake operates under separate annual regulations set by the DNR.
Anglers under 16 do not need a license in Minnesota. However, fish they keep count toward their parent or guardian's daily bag limit.