Often celebrated for its Walleye and Bass angling, Minnesota somewhat goes under the radar Trout fishing enthusiasts. Its rivers and streams are abundant with these wonderful fish, especially the southeastern part of the state. In fact, you can catch Trout in Minnesota during every season, whether on open water or ice fishing.
The thing to keep in mind is that Trout, like most other fish, are regulated with set seasons, along with size and bag limits. And that’s exactly what we’re here for. In this article, we’ll get you acquainted with Minnesota’s Trout seasons, so that you have all the necessary information when you head out there. If you’re ready, let’s get into it!
Trout Season and Size Limits in Minnesota
As we’ve mentioned already, it’s possible to catch Trout throughout the year in Minnesota. However, the regulations differ depending on whether you’re fishing Lake Superior, the state’s inland waters, or Southeast Minnesota’s lakes and streams.
To save yourself the trouble of trying to figure it all out, we recommend that you simply find out which region the body of water you want to fish in belongs to, and then look at the regulations for it specifically.
Statewide Inland Seasons and Limits
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout, and Splake | May 11 – Oct 31 | 5 combined, no more than 3 greater than 16″ |
| Lake Trout | May 11 – Sep 30 | 2 |
Winter Season within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA)
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout, and Splake | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | 5 combined, no more than 3 greater than 16″ |
| Lake Trout | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | 2 |
Winter Statewide Season outside/partly outside BWCA
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout, and Splake | Jan 18 – Mar 31 | 5 combined, no more than 3 greater than 16″ |
| Lake Trout | Jan 18 – Mar 31 | 2 |
Southeast Minnesota Streams
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout, and Splake | Apr 13 – Sep 14 | 5 combined, no more than 1 greater than 16″ |
Statewide Streams except Southeast Minnesota
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook, Brown, Rainbow Trout, and Splake | Apr 13 – Sep 30 | 5 combined, no more than 1 greater than 16″ |
Lake Superior and Its Tributaries below Posted Boundaries
Certain rivers and streams have boundary signs posted, above which different regulations apply.
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook Trout and Splake | Apr 13 – Sep 2 | 1, 20″ minimum, 5 combined total |
| Brown Trout | Year-round | 3, 16″ minimum, 5 combined total |
| Rainbow Trout (clipped) | Year-round | 3, 16″ minimum, 5 combined total |
| Rainbow Trout (unclipped) | Closed for retention | Catch-and-release only |
| Lake Trout | Dec 1 – Oct 5 | 2 |
Lake Superior and Its Tributaries above Posted Boundaries
| Species | Open Season | Size and Bag Limits |
| Brook and Brown Trout | Apr 13 – Sep 2 | 5 combined, no more than 1 greater than 16″ |
| Rainbow Trout | Closed for retention | Catch-and-release only |
To save yourself the trouble of trying to figure it all out, we recommend that you find out which region the body of water you want to fish in belongs to, and then look at the regulations for it specifically.
Also, keep in mind that certain lakes have their own specific regulations – and note that all seasons are subject to change. While we’ll do our best to keep the info here up to date, it’s worth checking the official Minnesota DNR website.
What’s the best time to fish for Trout in Minnesota?
We’ve covered the fishing regulations, but we didn’t cover the actual best time of year to cast your line. In that regard, Minnesota is similar to most other Trout destinations out there… The most productive fishing seasons are spring and fall. Both stream and lake fishing will be at their finest during these two seasons, and you can expect the weather to generally be favorable.
Of course, summertime also offers fantastic fishing. But whereas you’ll often find Trout in shallow waters during spring and fall, they tend to migrate deeper in summer. So look for deep holes, obstructions, and features such as underground springs. You’ll also fare better if you fish early. Head out within the first 2 hours after sun-up and on days after heavy rainfall for the best chances.
From January to March, most of Minnesota’s waters will freeze. When the ice sheet gets thick enough, you’ll be able to fish through it. Brook Trout and Splake will usually bite best at the beginning of Minnesota’s ice fishing season. Meanwhile, Lake Trout are active all winter, and you’ll often catch Rainbows just below the surface. So all in all, Trout fishing is a year-round endeavor in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!
Best Trout Fishing Spots in Minnesota
Between the different regions and thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams in Minnesota, there’s no shortage of places to catch Trout. Southeast Minnesota, also known as the Driftless Area, is home to some of the best streams in the state. These include Whitewater River, Root River, Trout Run Creek, and other creeks in the Preston area. The waters in this part of Minnesota are particularly ideal for fly fishing for Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout.
When it comes to Lake Trout, there are over 100 lakes in the state where they reproduce naturally. However, you’ll catch the biggest fish along the north shore of Lake Superior. Besides Lakers, tributaries such as the Temperance River and Knife River also boast fantastic Steelhead, Brown, and Brook Trout fishing. And although they’re not the topic of this article, there’s plenty of Salmon swimming about as well.
If you’re looking for fishing close to Minneapolis, the two main hotspots are the Vermillion River and Straight River. Brown Trout are the main species you’ll catch in these rivers, but the Vermillion is stocked with Rainbows periodically, too. You can also try fishing at Cenaiko Lake which lies on the outskirts of the city.
One final destination to consider is the remote Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Located along the Minnesota–Canada border, the BWCA is a region of incredible beauty and even better fishing. Many of the waters in the area are only accessible by canoe, taking you on a journey into untouched wilderness. Popular Lake Trout fisheries in the BWCA include Caribou Lake, West Pike Lake, and Knife Lake.
How to Fish for Trout in Minnesota
A spinning outfit with a 6 lb line will serve you well for most Trout fishing purposes in Minnesota. You can go lighter for smaller fish and up to 10 pounds for Lakers. But the most important thing to know is that using bait is banned in certain waters, so bring artificials.
Where allowed, nightcrawlers are the bait of choice for most anglers out here. However, some use chub or sucker meat on occasion. As for artificials, spinners, jigs, spoons, and other minnow-like lures all have their applications. Some basic colors include silver for Rainbow Trout, copper for Brookies, and gold for Brown Trout. If you’re fishing for Lake Trout, keep in mind that they’ll often lurk in deeper waters, meaning you’ll need to bring along sinkers to get your hook to the appropriate depth.
An alternative to all this is to bring a fly fishing setup. If you can master the art of casting with a fly rod, it’s often more effective than spin fishing. It’s also easier on the Trout, making releasing safer and less taxing.
In general, a 2–5 wt rod will work well in most situations. However, rods in the upper weight range will make casting easier when it’s windy – which is often the case in Southeast Minnesota. Fill your tackle box with patterns such as quill-body Adams, hackle emergers, floating nymphs, and fluttering, skittering, and elk hair caddisflies.
Minnesota: Home to Year-Round Trout Fishing
With opportunities to catch Trout regardless of the season, Minnesota is a prime destination for anyone looking to target these fish. And as an added bonus, you’ll get to enjoy absolutely breathtaking nature while you’re at it. All you have to do is pick a guide that suits you and the adventure can begin!
Did you find the information on Minnesota Trout fishing seasons useful? What’s your favorite time of year to fish? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Minnesota Trout Seasons: The Complete Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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