Licenses
Minnesota residents older than 16 years old are required to have a license to fish legally, as do nonresidents. A lifetime license is available.
Legal Lines
An angler can legally have only one fishing line in the water during open-water fishing season and two during the ice-fishing season.
Limits
Once an angler reaches her daily limit of fish, she cannot cull fish. This means an individual cannot throw back a fish she planned to keep if she happens to catch a larger one later.
Season and Limits
Each game fish species has a specific season during which anglers can catch the fish. Many species such as northern pike and muskellunge have a minimum length requirement, while others such as crappie and perch have no such stipulation.
Darkhouse Spearing
A form of ice fishing called darkhouse spearing is legal on Minnesota lakes during the winter, with pike, whitefish and catfish caught this way. A special license is required to participate in this activity in addition to a regular fishing license; nonresidents cannot fish in this manner.
Article Written By John Lindell
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
