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Minnesota Northern Pike Limit 2026

Statewide rules quoted from the 2026 MN DNR regulations

Statewide northern pike 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.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Southern zone

Angling: 2 (Minimum size 24").

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Southern zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Minimum size 24").

Minnesota manages northern pike in three zones, each with its own limit. The Northeast zone lies north and east of US Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls; the North-central zone covers the middle of the state down to roughly a Hastings-to-Ortonville line; the Southern zone is everything south of that. Check the official DNR zone map — especially if you fish near a zone boundary.

Angling and darkhouse spearing have separate rules in each zone; both are quoted above.

Lakes with special northern pike regulations

83 lakes carry special northern pike 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 — 23 more lakes carry special northern pike regulations. Each lake's own page lists its rules.

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

Best northern pike lakes in MinnesotaAll Minnesota fishing regulations by species

Frequently Asked Questions

How many northern pike can you keep in Minnesota?

It depends on where you fish — Minnesota manages northern pike in three zones. Under the 2026 Minnesota regulations, the angling rules are — Northeast zone: Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released). North-central zone: Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released). Southern zone: Angling: 2 (Minimum size 24"). 83 Minnesota lakes carry special northern pike 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 northern pike season open in 2026?

The 2026 inland northern pike angling season runs May 9, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027 in all three zones. Darkhouse spearing has its own season — see the spearing rows on this page.

What are Minnesota's northern pike zones?

The Northeast zone lies north and east of US Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls; the North-central zone covers the middle of the state down to roughly a Hastings-to-Ortonville line; the Southern zone is everything south of that. Each zone has its own pike limit, so check the DNR zone map if you fish near a boundary.

Can you spear northern pike in Minnesota?

Yes — darkhouse spearing has its own season (Nov 15, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027) and its own zone limits, listed alongside the angling rules on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.