Fishing in Minnesota
Your complete guide to 130+ fishing spots across Minnesota: lakes, rivers, reservoirs and more.
Interactive Map
Download GilledIt to explore all spots on the map
Top Venues
Top Fishing Spots in Minnesota
The best-rated fishing venues across Minnesota.
- 1
Mille Lacs Lake
One of Minnesota's most famous walleye lakes with massive open-water structure fishing
- 2
Lake of the Woods
Legendary walleye and sauger destination on the Canadian border with incredible numbers
- 3
Leech Lake
Third largest lake in Minnesota with outstanding walleye, musky, and perch fishing
- 4
Lake Vermilion
Pristine northern Minnesota lake known for trophy walleye, smallmouth, and musky
- 5
Upper Red Lake
Renowned for massive walleye populations and excellent ice fishing in winter
- 6
Boundary Waters (BWCAW)
Wilderness canoeing and fishing paradise with smallmouth bass, walleye, and pike
- 7
Lake Winnibigoshish
Big Winnie offers excellent walleye, perch, and northern pike fishing year-round
- 8
Rainy Lake
Border water with outstanding walleye, smallmouth bass, and crappie populations
- 9
Gull Lake
Central Minnesota gem with great walleye, bass, and panfish in the Brainerd Lakes area
- 10
Lake Minnetonka
Minneapolis-area lake with excellent bass, musky, and panfish close to the metro
Species Guide
Species You Can Catch in Minnesota
Learn about the fish you’ll find across Minnesota.
Getting Started
Fishing License & Tips for Minnesota
License Information
A Minnesota fishing license is required for residents 16 and older and all non-residents. Resident individual annual licenses cost about $25, while non-resident annual licenses run approximately $51. A 24-hour non-resident license is available for about $14. Licenses are issued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and can be purchased online, by phone, or at license agents.
Read the full fishing license guideQuick Tips
- Minnesota walleye fishing is best during the May opener through June. Jig and minnow combos worked along windblown points and rocky reefs are the go-to presentation on lakes like Mille Lacs.
- For trophy northern pike, target the shallow weedy bays of Upper Red Lake, Leech Lake, and Lake Vermilion during early summer with large spinnerbaits and jerkbaits.
- Crappie and bluegill fishing is outstanding on Minnesota lakes. Find submerged brush piles and weed edges with small jigs tipped with wax worms, especially during the spring spawn.
- Track your Minnesota fishing trips on the GilledIt app to build a personal database of your favorite lakes, seasonal patterns, and personal bests across all species.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in Minnesota
The Minnesota fishing opener for walleye, northern pike, and bass is traditionally the second Saturday in May. Trout streams open in mid-April. Panfish (crappie, bluegill, sunfish) can be fished year-round on most waters. Ice fishing season typically runs from December through March. Check the Minnesota DNR for exact dates each year.
Mille Lacs Lake, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, and Lake Vermilion consistently rank as Minnesota's top walleye destinations. Mille Lacs offers trophy potential, while Lake of the Woods is known for incredible numbers. Use the GilledIt app to check recent catch reports and find boat launches on each lake.
While a boat certainly helps, Minnesota offers excellent shore fishing opportunities. Many lakes have public fishing piers, and numerous streams and rivers have wadeable access. The DNR maintains public water access sites on hundreds of lakes. Bank fishing for panfish is productive on most lakes during spring and early summer.
Minnesota is one of the top ice fishing states in the country. Mille Lacs, Upper Red Lake, and Lake of the Woods are premier walleye ice fishing destinations. Devils Lake and Gull Lake offer excellent panfish through the ice. Portable fish houses and permanent ice shacks are both popular. Always check ice conditions with local bait shops before heading out.
Yes, but Minnesota has strict musky regulations to protect the fishery. The minimum size limit is 54 inches on most waters, with a daily bag limit of one fish. Some waters have special regulations or are catch-and-release only. Most serious musky anglers practice catch and release to preserve this world-class fishery.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) requires a permit for entry. Day-use permits are free, while overnight permits cost $16 per person and are available through the USDA Forest Service. Access is by canoe only, with no motors allowed on most lakes. Smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike are the primary targets. Plan your route with maps and use GilledIt to log catches offline.
Download GilledIt to find more spots in Minnesota
Browse 130+ venues on an interactive map, see real-time catch reports from other anglers, and log your own catches.
Free on iOS & Android · Join thousands of American anglers