Keith Lusher 02.26.26
Anglers in the North Star State no longer have to wait for the traditional May fishing opener to target bass.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added a new catch-and-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass, effectively making bass fishing open year-round on inland waters. The rule went into effect Feb. 23 and allows anglers to pursue bass immediately following the close of the current harvest season, provided all fish are released.
Under the updated framework, bass seasons will now alternate between harvest and catch-and-release periods with no full closures in between. While anglers can begin targeting bass now, harvest regulations remain unchanged. Bass may still be kept beginning May 23, in line with existing harvest season dates.
“We’re improving bass fishing opportunities after hearing strong support from anglers for earlier bass fishing,” said Eric Altena, Little Falls area fisheries supervisor. He noted that bass populations across Minnesota are thriving, with increased abundance, larger average sizes and a broader geographic distribution compared to past decades.
According to DNR officials, there is no biological evidence that catch-and-release fishing prior to the late May spawning peak poses a conservation concern. Bass spawning in Minnesota typically occurs later than many other gamefish species, which is why harvest remains closed until later in the spring.
Public input played a major role in the regulation change. In 2023, the DNR conducted a questionnaire that generated 3,041 responses. Of those, 91 percent either supported or strongly supported extending the bass season.
The proposal also received backing from tribal partners. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe supported the change, with the Leech Lake Band emphasizing the importance of continued monitoring to ensure expanded angling opportunities do not negatively impact bass populations.
The continuous season applies to inland waters. Anglers fishing border waters must continue to follow separate regulations outlined in the annual regulations book available through the DNR.
In addition to the bass update, the 2026 regulations include several other changes. These include new or modified rules on nine bodies of water across multiple counties, a standardized stream trout opener set for the second Saturday in April, revised salmon limits on Lake Superior, updated hook configuration rules allowing up to three hooks within 18 inches on a single tackle setup, and clarification that only one bait is allowed per line. Ice anglers may now use nonmotorized hook-setting devices, and new guidance addresses crayfish harvest in infested waters.
The regulations book also incorporates updated fish consumption guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, offering recommendations based on contaminants, age and pregnancy status.
The full 2026 Minnesota fishing regulations are now available online through the DNR, with printed copies expected to be available anywhere fishing licenses are sold by March 1.
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