Bass Fishing Update

The Minnesota fishing regulations for 2026 include a new catch-and-release season that makes fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass open all year on inland waters.

The DNR made this improvement in bass fishing opportunities after hearing strong support from anglers for earlier bass fishing. Bass populations are thriving, with increased abundance and sizes. And compared with past decades, bass have broader geographic distribution in our state.

Since bass spawning peaks in late May, which is later in the year than some other species, there is no biological evidence that catch-and-release bass fishing poses a conservation issue for the fish.

Going forward, bass seasons will alternate between harvest and catch-and-release seasons with no fishing closures. Anglers will need to follow separate regulations for border waters which are available in the fishing regulations on the DNR website.

Fishing Regulations 2026: What else is new?

There are some new regulations for inland waters and border waters, and for specific lakes and rivers.

Please make sure to check what’s new before heading out fishing. New regulations are listed on pages 13-14 of the regulations book, available on the DNR website. Printed copies are available anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold.

New regulations for 2026 include:

• There are new and modified regulations in effect for nine bodies of water located in Beltrami, Crow Wing, Itasca, Jackson, Martin, Morrison and Todd counties.
• The season opener for stream trout harvest is now the second Saturday in April every year.
• The limit of one Atlantic salmon on Lake Superior has been removed. The limit is now five combined total for all salmon.
• The season closure date for brook trout and splake on Lake Superior and tributaries below posted boundaries is now Sept. 30.
• A new rule allows up to three hooks within 18 inches on a single tackle configuration.
• Updated language clarifies only one bait is allowed per line and stinger hooks are only allowed on artificial baits.
• Ice anglers may use nonmotorized hook setting devices.
• There is updated information on harvesting crayfish in infested waters and on labeling traps.
• There is no closed season for taking dead freshwater mussel shells.
• Inland portions of Mississippi River Pool 3 now conform with adjacent Wisconsin-Minnesota border waters regulations listed as “Mississippi River Pools 3-8 including Lake Pepin.”