Minnesota Catfish Limit 2026
Statewide catfish 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.
Channel catfish
Channel Catfish
5, only 1 fish over 24"
Flathead catfish
Flathead Catfish
Season: Apr 1, 2026 – Nov 30, 2026
2, only 1 fish over 24"
Channel and flathead catfish have separate statewide rules, quoted above — note the flathead season dates. Large border rivers (the Mississippi below Hastings, the St. Croix, the Minnesota–South Dakota boundary waters) follow border-water regulations instead of these inland rules.
Lakes with special catfish regulations
No lakes carry catfish-specific special regulations in the 2026 DNR list — the statewide rules above apply on inland waters. Border waters follow separate border-water regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many catfish can you keep in Minnesota?
Under the 2026 Minnesota regulations: channel catfish — 5, only 1 fish over 24"; flathead catfish — 2, only 1 fish over 24". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
When is flathead catfish season in Minnesota?
The 2026 flathead catfish season runs Apr 1, 2026 through Nov 30, 2026. Channel catfish has no closed season in the DNR seasons table.
Do any Minnesota lakes have special catfish regulations?
No — no lakes in the 2026 DNR special-regulations list carry catfish-specific rules, so the statewide limits apply on inland waters. Border waters follow separate border-water regulations.