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Minnesota Bass Limit 2026

Statewide rules quoted from the 2026 MN DNR regulations

Statewide bass limits and seasons

Quoted verbatim from the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations. These inland rules apply unless a lake's special regulation or a border-water rulebook overrides them.

Southern and North-central zones

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Sep 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Northeast zone

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Minnesota bass seasons run in phases: an early catch-and-release season, then a harvest season, and — for smallmouth in the Southern and North-central zones — a return to catch-and-release in the fall. Largemouth and smallmouth share one combined limit while both harvest seasons are open. The Northeast zone (north and east of US Highway 53, the same boundary as the pike zones — see the official DNR zone map) opens harvest earlier, on the fishing opener.

Lakes with special bass regulations

64 lakes carry special bass regulations in the 2026 DNR list — lake-specific rules that override the statewide limits above. Each lake page quotes the exact rules.

Showing the top 60 by FishGrade score — 4 more lakes carry special bass regulations. Each lake's own page lists its rules.

4 more waters — river and stream sections without a lake page — also carry special bass regulations; see the official DNR booklet.

Best largemouth bass lakes in MinnesotaBest smallmouth bass lakes in MinnesotaAll Minnesota fishing regulations by species

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bass can you keep in Minnesota?

During the harvest season, the 2026 Minnesota regulations set the inland limit at: 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open) — largemouth and smallmouth count toward one combined limit. 64 Minnesota lakes carry special bass regulations that override the statewide limit — check your lake on this page before keeping fish. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.

When does bass season open in 2026?

In the Southern and North-central zones, catch-and-release bass fishing opens Mar 1, 2026 and the harvest season opens May 23, 2026. In the Northeast zone, harvest opens May 9, 2026. Exact dates are in the season rows on this page.

Can you keep smallmouth bass in the fall in Minnesota?

Not in the Southern and North-central zones — smallmouth bass revert to catch-and-release from Sep 14, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027. See the season rows on this page for the exact windows. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.