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FISHING REGULATIONS &

LICENSING

Lake of the Woods is a border water, shared with the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. The Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods has several regulations that differ from the general statewide regulations. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these differences to avoid inadvertently violating any regulations. Make sure that you note the effective dates of the various regulations outlined in this summary. Regulations that apply to Lake of the Woods during the summer are different than those listed here.

WALLEYEs & SAUGERs ON LAKE OF THE WOODS, MN

Note: these regulations are a summary. always check the mn dnr regulations for official regulations, limits and other important information.

  • Combined daily limit of 6 fish, up to four of the six can be walleyes
  • All walleyes 19.5 – 28.0 inches must be released
  • Anglers can keep one walleye per day over 28 inches
  • The MN possession limit is the same as your daily limit.  The possession limit includes any fish possessed, in your cabin, leftover cooked fish in your fridge, etc.
  • Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended walleye season.  The season is from the MN Fishing Opener (the Saturday two weeks prior to Memorial Day weekend) through April 14th.

FISH AND GAME VIOLATIONS

If you witness a violation, please report it. Don’t let poachers steal your fish and wildlife.

Baudette Area Fisheries Office can be reached at 218.634.2522 or email them at baudette.fisheries@state.mn.us

Rainy River &
FOUR MILE BAY

RAINY RIVER & FOUR MILE BAY

  • MN Fishing Opener (Saturday two weeks prior to Memorial Day Weekend) – April 14
  • The Walleye/Sauger aggregate limit is six (no more than four can be Walleye). Walleye from 19.5 through 28 inches must be immediately released.
  • Only one Walleye over 28 inches total length may be possessed.
  • March 1 through April 14, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only.

NORTHERN PIKE

  • All Northern Pike from 30 through 40 inches must be released immediately, and only one Northern Pike over 40 inches may be possessed.
  • The daily and possession limit of northern pike is three
  • There is no closed season for Northern Pike on Lake of the Woods or the Rainy River.

YELLOW PERCH

  • The bag limit is 20 Yellow Perch per day, with 40 in possession.
  • There is no closed season for Yellow Perch.

LAKE STURGEON

  • Harvest season: Anglers can keep one fish per calendar year during the harvest season when they purchase a sturgeon tag.  The sturgeon has to be 45 – 50 inches or over 75 inches to harvest.  The harvest season for sturgeon in Minnesota is in two parts:
    • Spring: April 24–May 7
    • Summer: July 1–September 30
  • Catch-and-release season: Anglers can fish for sturgeon for catch-and-release during the catch-and-release season. The catch-and-release season for sturgeon in Minnesota is in two parts:
    • Early May: May 8–15
    • Early October: October 1–April 23
  • Closed season: Sturgeon fishing is closed from May 16–June 30 

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