Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations
If regulations change, they will be posted at public accesses and on this web page. Printed and electronic copies of these regulations are available from the DNR Information Center by emailing
[email protected] (link sends email) or by calling 1-888-646-6367
This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Unless specified below, all general regulations, season dates, limits, possession, transportation and border water regulations apply.
including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries
- Northern Pike: Beginning May 9, 2020 through March 31, 2021, all northern pike greater than 30 inches must be immediately released. Limit of three. Same regulations for spearing, which concludes Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021.
- Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass: Beginning May 9, 2020 through May 22, 2020, all bass must be immediately released. Beginning May 23, 2020, all bass greater than 17 inches must be immediately released. Limit of three in combination. Smallmouth harvest ends Sunday, Sept. 13. Largemouth harvest ends Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021.
- Tullibee (Cisco): Possession limit 10.
- Walleye: Beginning May 9, 2020 through June 30, 2020, all walleye must be immediately released. Beginning July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, walleye may not be targeted. Beginning August 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020, all walleye must be immediately released.
- No culling or live-well sorting: Fish taken into possession are considered part of an angler's bag limit and cannot be exchanged with another fish. However, when the season for bass is open, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass may be culled following statewide culling rules.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/millelacs.html