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Fishing in Minnesota

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes — actually 11,842 lakes over 10 acres. With the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the north shore of Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and more lakeshore than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined, Minnesota offers world-class fishing for walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and panfish across six distinct regions.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Northeast MN & Arrowhead

Lake Superior, BWCA, North Shore streams -- Lake Trout, Walleye, Steelhead, Brook Trout, Chinook Salmon

North Central Minnesota

Leech Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Brainerd area, Bemidji -- Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Crappie

Northwest Minnesota

Lake of the Woods, Red River, Upper Mississippi headwaters -- Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch

Central Minnesota

Mille Lacs Lake, St. Cloud, Rum River, Mississippi River -- Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Crappie

Twin Cities Metro

Minneapolis, St. Paul, Lake Minnetonka, Mississippi River, Minnehaha Creek -- Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill

Southern Minnesota

Mississippi River bluffs, Minnesota River, Rochester area lakes -- Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Crappie