Anglers will have new opportunities to catch a Minnesota state record fish.
Beginning March 1, anglers can obtain catch-and-release records for 18 species beyond the four currently recognized (northern pike, muskie, lake sturgeon, and flathead catfish), a change that Minnesota said Department of Natural Resources that the agency is doing in response to the increasing popularity of catch-and-release fishing and to raise the profile of native coarse fish.
“Fishermen’s stories and photos of big fish caught from Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams bring great joy,” said Mandy Erickson, fisheries program consultant, in a release announcing the decision on Feb. 29. “We also hope that the buzz around some of these records brings more attention to native coarse fish, which, apart from being fun to catch, are important to aquatic ecosystems.”
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Records established prior to requiring weight to be documented on a certified scale will continue to be recognized as historical records. After March 1, the DNR will recognize three categories of record fish: historical weight records, catch-and-release documented with photos, and certified weight documented by keeping the fish and weighing it on a state certified scale.
Anglers can also apply for a certified weight record for yellow bass, which was added to the category because the species has increased significantly in both presence and popularity, especially in south-central Minnesota.
The species being added to the catch-and-release category are: blue sucker, bigmouth buffalo, bowfin, brook trout, brown trout, channel catfish, freshwater drum, lake trout, largemouth bass, longnose gar, rainbow trout, sauger, shortnose gar, shovelnose sturgeon, smallmouth bass, smallmouth buffalo, tiger muskellunge and walleye .
The category will continue to include muskellunge, northern pike, lake sturgeon and flathead catfish. There will be a minimum fish length requirement for new submissions, which will prevent multiple record applications for common catchable sizes.
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Certified weight records are available for black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, flathead catfish, lake trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.
For each species, anglers will be required to reach a minimum weight to apply for a record, which will prevent an abundance of record applications for common catch weights.
“Before making these changes, we discussed possible approaches with fishing organizations and tribal interests, and solicited input through fishing-related Facebook pages and DNR email lists. Overall, we received very positive feedback,” Erickson said.
The fish record program has been administered by state fisheries resource agencies in various forms for nearly 100 years. More information, including minimum fish length and weight requirements for new submissions, is available at Minnesota DNR record fish webpage.
Other new regulations
Other fishing regulation changes for 2024 include two changes that improve protection for Minnesota’s native turtles. These protections went into effect on Jan. 1 as a result of a new law enacted in 2023.
Fishermen need both a fishing license and a recreational turtle license to harvest turtles using fishing methods such as hook and line, landing net and gaff hook. Previously, only an angling license was required. Traps are not allowed for harvesting turtles. Individuals under the age of 16 do not need a recreational turtle license and can still collect turtles for turtle races.
Commercial harvest of western painted turtles and snapping turtles is no longer allowed in Minnesota. People will still be allowed to raise turtles for commercial purposes under an aquaculture license with a turtle endorsement.
New and revised regulations for various waters will also come into effect. Anglers are advised to check the regulations book available on March 1 for updated regulations pertaining to:
- Sunfish in Winnibigoshish Lake and connected waters, Beltrami, Cass and Itasca counties
- Northern pike in the Gull Lake chain, Cass and Crow Wing counties
- Sunfish in First, Second, Third and Fourth Crow Wing lakes, Hubbard County
- Walleye in Big Sand Lake, Hubbard County
- Northern pike at Balsam, Haskell and Scrapper Lakes, Itasca County
- Northern pike at Pearl Lake, Stearns County
- Crappie and sunfish in Clearwater and Maple lakes, Stearns and Wright counties
The 2024 Minnesota fishing regulations will be available March 1 at Minnesota DNR website and printed copies will be available beginning the week of March 4 wherever fishing licenses are sold in Minnesota.
