Minnesota Yellow Perch Limit 2026
Statewide yellow perch 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.
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
Lakes with special yellow perch regulations
11 lakes carry special yellow perch regulations in the 2026 DNR list — lake-specific rules that override the statewide limits above. Each lake page quotes the exact rules.
- Mille Lacs — Mille Lacs Countychanges mid-season
- Silver Crk Reservoir SR-2 — Olmsted County
- Cascade Ponds — Olmsted County
- LaSalle — Hubbard County
- Foster-Arend — Olmsted County
- Crawford — Wright County
- Silver — Olmsted County
- Willow Reservoir 6A — Olmsted County
- Bear Creek Reservoir — Olmsted County
- Kalmar Reservoir (KR-7) — Olmsted County
- Willow Reservoir 4 — Olmsted County
2 more waters — river and stream sections without a lake page — also carry special yellow perch regulations; see the official DNR booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many yellow perch can you keep in Minnesota?
Under the 2026 Minnesota regulations, the statewide inland perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. 11 Minnesota lakes carry special yellow perch 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.
Is there a size limit on yellow perch in Minnesota?
Not statewide — the rule is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. A handful of lakes include perch in special aggregate regulations; see the list on this page.
When is perch season in Minnesota?
Yellow perch fishing is open year-round — the 2026 DNR seasons table lists a continuous season, which includes ice fishing.