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.
Fishing Regulations
- No province-wide barbless rule. Barbless required on specific trout streams with special regulations (e.g., Lawndale Creek).
- Special regulations for individual lakes take precedence over statewide limits - check the special regulations list.
14 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Minnesota Region
Mille Lacs Lake Inlet, St. Cloud, Rum River, Mississippi River
39 spots
North Central Minnesota Region
Leech Lake Inlet, Lake Winnibigoshish, Brainerd area, Bemidji
64 spots
Northeast MN & Arrowhead Region
Lake Superior Inlet, BWCA, North Northeast MN Lake, Beaver Dam Lake
151 spots
Northwest Minnesota Region
Lake of the Woods Inlet, Red River, Upper Mississippi headwaters, Beaver Dam Lake
39 spots
Southern Minnesota Region
Minnesota River, Rochester area lakes, Beaver Dam Lake, Kaapoo Lake
38 spots
Twin Cities Metro Region
Minneapolis Inlet, St. Paul, Lake Minnetonka, Mississippi River
124 spots
Get CatchTales
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