Definititions

Culling (sorting)

The act of replacing 1 fish with another fish (see possession information on pages 40-41). See border waters with North Dakota on page 71.

Daily versus possession limits (collectively called bag limits)

A possession limit is the number of a particular species allowed in an angler’s possession, including any and all locations such as a livewell or freezer at home. A daily limit is the number of a particular species an angler is allowed to keep in a calendar day, including those that are gifted or consumed. Daily and possession limits are most often the same with the exception of statewide perch limits (see page 30) and special regulations for sunfish and crappie which reduce a daily limit but retain the statewide possession limit (see pages 46-64). While on or angling in a water with a daily limit that is lower than the possession limit, a person may not have more than the daily limit of that species in their immediate physical possession.

Designated stream trout lakes

These waters have been listed in Minnesota Rule and have been stocked with trout that are typically found in streams: rainbow, brown, or brook trout. Some also have splake, a cross between a lake trout and a brook trout.

Game fish

Includes the following and their hybrids: American eel, bass (includes rock, white, and yellow), burbot (eelpout), catfish, cisco (tullibee), crappie, muskellunge, northern pike, paddlefish, salmon, sauger, sturgeon, sunfish, trout, walleye, whitefish, and yellow perch.

Immediately released or returned to the water

Immediately released fish are only retained long enough to unhook, measure and photograph. Fish not immediately released are counted as part of an angler's daily and possession limit.

Inland waters

Lakes and rivers within Minnesota not bordering Canada or another state.

Minimum size limit

Prohibits harvest of fish less than a specified length.

Minnows

All sizes of true minnows (excluding carp and goldfish), leeches, mudminnows, tadpole madtoms, stonecats; the following if 12" or less: suckers, redhorses, buffalo, carpsuckers; the following if 7" or less: bullhead, cisco (tullibee), lake whitefish, goldeye, and mooneye. Border water regulations may vary.

Native rough fish

Bowfin (dogfish), buffalo, sucker, quillback, carpsucker, redhorse, goldeye, mooneye, bullhead, gar, and freshwater drum (sheepshead). Border waters regulations may vary.

1-over the size limit

Allows the harvest of 1 fish over a set size limit as part of the daily or possession limit.

Protected slot limit

Prohibits harvest of fish from a designated size range. Fish within this size range must be immediately released.