Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Minnesota Administrative Rules
6264.0300 DESIGNATED EXPERIMENTAL WATERS.
Subp. 32.
Rainy Lake experimental regulations.
To the extent that this subpart is inconsistent with part 6266.0700, subpart 2, the provisions of this subpart apply. While a person is on or fishing in the waters listed below, all walleye in possession or under control, regardless of where taken, must be less than 17 inches in length or greater than 28 inches in length. All walleye that are 17 to 28 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession and daily limit for walleye is four, and must not include more than one walleye over 28 inches in length. Walleye legally taken from Ontario waters of Rainy Lake that are not within the above length limits may be possessed with documented proof of fishing on Ontario waters of Rainy Lake. Proof of fishing must consist of documentation of a residence or property on Ontario waters of Rainy Lake, or a dated receipt from an Ontario resort on Rainy Lake. A person in possession of walleye that were legally taken in Ontario waters of Rainy Lake, but not within the legal sizes for the waters listed below, may not fish on the waters listed below.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Rainy Lake | T.67,68,69,70, 71, R.18,19,20, 21,22,23,24, S. Various, Minnesota waters of Rainy Lake from the dam in International Falls to the dam in Kettle Falls, Black Bay including Gold Portage, Rat Root Lake, and all of the Rat Root River | Koochiching, St. Louis | 3/1/2016 |
Subp. 47.
Sunfish possession limits.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters the daily and possession limit for sunfish is ten. It is unlawful for anyone to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any sunfish in excess of the daily and possession limit while fishing in these waters. A person who is in transit, taking the most direct route back to the person's lodging or docking, and not fishing, may possess sunfish in excess of the daily and possession limit if the sunfish were legally taken from connecting waters or the Wisconsin waters of the Mississippi.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Battle | T.62, R.23,24, S.25,30 | Itasca | 3/1/2016 |
| B. | Deer | T.62, R.24, S.14, 15,22-28,34 | Itasca | 3/1/2016 |
| C. | Pickerel | T.62, R.24, S.25, 26,35 | Itasca | 3/1/2016 |
Subp. 56.
Walleye slot limits on Namakan Reservoir Lakes.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession or under control must be less than 17 inches in length or greater than 28 inches in length. All walleye that are 17 to 28 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession and daily limit for walleye and sauger is six in the aggregate, of which not more than four may be walleye and not more than one walleye may be over 28 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Kabetogama Lake (including Sullivan Bay and Ash River to Ash River Falls) | T.68, R.19,20, S.Various T.69, R.19,20,21, 22, S.Various T.70, R.21,22, S.Various | St. Louis, Koochiching | 3/1/2019 |
| B. | Namakan Lake | T.68, R.17,18,19, S.Various T.69, R.17,18,19, S.Various T.70, R.18,19, S.Various | St. Louis | 3/1/2019 |
| C. | Sand Point Lake | T.67, R.16, S.Various T.68, R.16, S.Various T.69, R.17, S.Various | St. Louis | 3/1/2019 |
| D. | Little Vermilion Lake (including Loon River to Loon Falls Portage) | T.66, R.16, S.Various T.67, R.16, S.Various | St. Louis | 3/1/2019 |
| E. | Crane Lake (including Vermillion Gorge and the Echo River from the mouth upstream to St. Louis Co. Highway 424 bridge) | T.67, R.16,17, S.Various T.68, R.16,17, S.Various | St. Louis | 3/1/2019 |
Subp. 59.
Pelican Lake experimental regulations.
All largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in possession while on or fishing in Pelican Lake must be less than 14 inches in length or greater than 20 inches in length. All largemouth bass and smallmouth bass that are 14 to 20 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit may not include more than one largemouth bass or smallmouth bass over 20 inches in length. All northern pike in possession while on or fishing in Pelican Lake must be less than 24 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 24 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Pelican Lake | T.64,65, R.19,20,21, S.Various | St. Louis | 3/1/2018 |
Subp. 64.
Sunfish possession limits.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, the daily and possession limit for sunfish is five.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Carnelian Lake | T.122, R.29, S.13,24 | Stearns | 3/1/2017 |
| B. | Pleasant Lake | T.123, R.29, S.1,2 | Stearns | 3/1/2017 |
Subp. 66.
Mule and Blackwater Lakes largemouth bass and smallmouth bass maximum size limit.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all largemouth and smallmouth bass in possession must be less than 12 inches in length. All largemouth and smallmouth bass 12 inches and greater in length must be immediately returned to the water.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Blackwater Lake | T.140, R.29, S.25,26,34,35 | Cass | 3/1/2016 |
| B. | Mule Lake | T.140, R.28,29, S.various | Cass | 3/1/2016 |
Subp. 70.
Walleye 18-inch to 26-inch slot limit and possession limit.
All walleye taken from the following waters and in possession must be less than 18 inches in length or greater than 26 inches in length. All walleye that are 18 to 26 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's daily and possession limit for walleye taken from the following waters is four fish, of which not more than one walleye shall be over 26 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Kabekona | T.142,143, R.32,33, S.Various | Hubbard | 3/1/2016 |
Subp. 71.
Long and Crooked Lakes experimental regulations.
While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all largemouth bass in possession must be less than 12 inches in length or greater than 20 inches in length. All largemouth bass that are 12 to 20 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit may not include more than one largemouth bass over 20 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Crooked | T.122, R.27, S.5 | Stearns | 3/1/2016 |
| B. | Long | T.122, R.27, S.5,8 | Stearns | 3/1/2016 |
Subp. 73.
Northern pike restricted size and possession limits.
While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all northern pike in possession must be less than 22 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 22 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. Possession and daily limit is nine and may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Bowstring Lake | T.146,147, R.25,26, S.Various | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| B. | Bowstring River, from Bowstring Lake downstream to the County Road 145 bridge | T.147,148,149, R.26, 27, S.Various | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| C. | Sand Lake | T.147,148, R.26, S.3,4,17-21,28-33 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| D. | Portage Lake | T.147, R.26, S.3,10 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| E. | Birds Eye Lake | T.148, R.26, S.28 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| F. | Little Sand Lake | T.148, R.26,27, S.6,7,12,18 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| G. | Round Lake | T.148, R.27,28, S.13,14,18-20, 23-26,29,30 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| H. | Alice Lake | T.148, R.27, S.31 | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
| I. | Popple River | T.148, R.27, S.19,20, from the outlet of Round Lake downstream to the State Highway 46 bridge | Itasca | 3/1/2017 |
Subp. 74.
Sugar Lake northern pike and crappie restrictions.
While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all northern pike in possession must be less than 24 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 24 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. Possession and daily limit may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length. While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, the possession limit for crappie is five.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Sugar Lake | T.121,122, R.27, S.1,2,10,11,35,36 | Wright | 3/1/2017 |
Subp. 75.
East and West Sylvia Lakes northern pike regulations.
While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all northern pike in possession must be less than 24 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 24 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's daily and possession limit may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Sylvia, East | T.121, R.28, S.Various | Wright | 3/1/2019 |
| Sylvia, West | T.121, R.28, S.Various | Wright | 3/1/2019 |
Subp. 76.
Pearl Lake walleye and northern pike regulations.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession must be 17 inches or greater in length. All walleye less than 17 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water. The daily and possession limit for walleye taken from the following waters is three. While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all northern pike in possession must be less than 24 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 24 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's daily and possession limit may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End date |
| Pearl Lake | T.122, R.29, S.2,3,10,11 | Stearns | 3/1/2019 |
Subp. 77.
Big Sandy Lake walleye regulation.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession must be from 14 inches to 18 inches in length, inclusive. All walleye that are less than 14 inches or greater than 18 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water, except a person's daily and possession limit may include one walleye over 26 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Big Sandy Lake | T.49,50, R.23,24, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| B. | Aitkin Lake (a.k.a. Aitkin Flowage) | T.50, R.23, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| C. | Sandy River Lake | T.49, R.23,24, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| D. | Flowage Lake | T.49, R.23,24, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| E. | Davis Lake (a.k.a. Steamboat Lake) | T.48, R.24, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| F. | Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with Mississippi River | T.48, R.23,24, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| G. | Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to Big Sandy Lake | T.49,50, R.22,23, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
| H. | West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to Prairie River | T.50, R.22,23, S.Various | Aitkin | 3/1/2023 |
Subp. 78.
Clear Lake walleye regulation.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession must be 17 inches or greater in length. All walleye less than 17 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water. The daily and possession limit for walleye taken from the following waters is three.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Clear Lake | T.32, R.21, S.17,18 | Washington | 3/1/2022 |
Subp. 79.
Long Lake largemouth bass restricted size and possession limits.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all largemouth bass in possession must be less than 14 inches in length or greater than 20 inches in length. All largemouth bass that are 14 to 20 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit may not include more than one largemouth bass over 20 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date |
| Long | T.122, R.27, S.5,8 | Kandiyohi | 3/1/2020 |
Subp. 80.
Big Swan Lake; northern pike size limit and bag restrictions.
While a person is on or fishing in the following waters, all northern pike in possession must be less than 24 inches in length or greater than 36 inches in length. All northern pike that are 24 to 36 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit for northern pike is six and may not include more than one northern pike over 36 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| Big Swan | T.128, R.32, S.Various | Todd | 3/1/2018 |
Subp. 81.
Saganaga Lake, Sea Gull Lake, Gull Lake, Sea Gull River, and Alpine River walleye restrictions.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession must be 17 inches or greater in length. All walleye less than 17 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water. The daily and possession limit for walleye is three. A person's possession limit may not include more than one walleye over 20 inches.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Saganaga Lake | T.66,67, R.4,5,6, S.Various | Cook | 3/1/2025 |
| B. | Gull Lake | T.66, R.4,5, S.Various | Cook | 3/1/2025 |
| C. | Sea Gull Lake | T.65,66, R.4,5, S.Various | Cook | 3/1/2025 |
| D. | Sea Gull River between Saganaga and Gull Lakes and between Gull and Sea Gull Lakes | T.66, R.4,5, S.19,30,31,36 | Cook | 3/1/2025 |
| E. | Alpine River between Sea Gull Lake and Alpine Lake | T.65, R.5, S.9 | Cook | 3/1/2025 |
Subp. 82.
Sauk River Chain of Lakes catfish restrictions.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, the daily and possession limit for channel catfish and flathead catfish in aggregate is ten, of which not more than two may be flathead catfish. A person's possession limit may not include more than one channel catfish or flathead catfish in aggregate over 24 inches.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Sauk River Chain of Lakes from State Highway 23 Bridge in T.123, R.31, S.24, downstream to the Cold Spring Dam in T.123, R.30, S.23, including connecting waters, Sauk River, and Becker, Horseshoe, Cedar Island, Zumwalde, Great Northern, Schneider, Krays, Bolfing, and Knaus Lakes | T.123, R.30,31, S. Various | Stearns | 3/1/2025 |
| B. | Long Lake | T.122, R.31, S.1,2,11,12 | Stearns | 3/1/2025 |
| C. | North Brown's Lake | T.122, R.31, S.11,14 | Stearns | 3/1/2025 |
| D. | Eden Lake | T.122, R.31, S.23-26 | Stearns | 3/1/2025 |
| E. | Mud (Vails) Lake | T.122, R.31, S.26,35 | Stearns | 3/1/2025 |
Subp. 83.
Sand Lake and connected waters; walleye restrictions.
While a person is on or angling in the following waters, all walleye in possession must be less than 17 inches or greater than 26 inches in length. All walleye that are 17 to 26 inches in length, inclusive, must be immediately returned to the water. A person's possession limit may not include more than one walleye over 26 inches in length.
| Name | Location | County | End Date | |
| A. | Sand Lake | T.147,148, R.26, S.3,4,17,21,28-33 | Itasca | 3/1/2026 |
| B. | Portage Lake | T.147, R.26, S.3,10 | Itasca | 3/1/2026 |
| C. | Bird's Eye Lake | T.148, R.26, S.28 | Itasca | 3/1/2026 |
| D. | Little Sand Lake | T.148, R.26,27, S.6,7,12,18 | Itasca | 3/1/2026 |
| E. | Bowstring River, from Sand Lake upstream to CSAH 35 Bridge and from Little Sand Lake downstream to the mouth of Rice Lake | T.147,148, R.26,31, S.1,7,12,16,17,31 | Itasca | 3/1/2026 |
[See Note.]
History:
18 SR 83; 18 SR 2252; 18 SR 2482; 19 SR 1517; 19 SR 2090; 20 SR 2248; 20 SR 2252(NO. 42); 21 SR 1166; 22 SR 292; 22 SR 1559; 23 SR 1735; 24 SR 1186; 24 SR 1578; 24 SR 1849; 25 SR 1379; 26 SR 182; 26 SR 1082; 27 SR 1313; 28 SR 33; 28 SR 629; 28 SR 1011; 29 SR 871; 29 SR 876; 30 SR 697; 31 SR 1319; 32 SR 1039; 32 SR 1547; 33 SR 1441; 33 SR 1442; 34 SR 1071; 35 SR 1093; 36 SR 810; 36 SR 1247; 37 SR 1208; 38 SR 1061; 39 SR 1257
NOTE:
Subpart 83, as added in 39 SR 1257, is effective March 1, 2016.
Published Electronically:
October 7, 2015
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes