Slot: Many lakes have slot limits (e.g., 17–26 inch prot...
Daily Bag Limit
6 per day
Possession: 12
Season
May 10 – February 23 (statewide opener, varies by zone)
Slot Limit
⚠ Slot limit in effect: Many lakes have slot limits (e.g., 17–26 inch protected slot on some waters)
Special Rules & Notes
Mille Lacs Lake has unique regulations that change annually. Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, and boundary waters have separate seasons and limits. Always check DNR LakeFinder for lake-specific rules.
Popular Minnesota Waters
Lake of the Woods
Leech Lake
Mille Lacs Lake
Lake Winnibigoshish
Red Lake
Tips for Minnesota Walleye Fishing
Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and walleye is the state fish.
The walleye opener on the second Saturday in May is practically a state holiday.
Jigging with live minnows or leeches is the most popular method. Troll crankbaits in summer.
Common Questions
The statewide minimum length for walleye in Minnesota is 15 inches with a daily bag limit of 6 fish. Many popular lakes have special regulations including slot limits. Mille Lacs Lake has its own set of annually updated rules — always check before fishing.
The statewide walleye opener is the second Saturday in May (typically around May 10–16). The season runs through late February of the following year, including ice fishing. Some boundary waters with Wisconsin have different dates.
A slot limit protects fish within a certain size range to allow them to reach spawning age. For example, a 17–26 inch protected slot means fish between 17 and 26 inches must be released, while fish under 17 inches or over 26 inches may be kept (subject to the bag limit).
Yes. All anglers 16 and older need a Minnesota fishing license. A separate trout and salmon stamp is required for trout species but not for walleye.
Important: Fishing regulations change annually. This page reflects regulations for 2026 but always verify current rules with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) before fishing. Some waters have special regulations that differ from the statewide rules.