Minn. R. agency 158, ch. 6262, GENERAL RESTRICTIONS, pt. 6262.0300
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 20, November 12, 2024
Fish may not be taken in Lake Superior except as provided by this part or under permit.
No more than two lines with one bait attached to each line may be used to take fish on Lake Superior, except that only one line may be used within 100 yards of the mouth of any flowing stream.
While on any portion of the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior, a person licensed to take fish by angling or as otherwise authorized by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, or the province of Ontario, may not possess or transport more than the daily limit of fish allowed under any one but not more than one of their licenses.
Smelt may be taken by licensed anglers from Lake Superior and tributary streams subject to the following provisions:
Angling season and daily and possession limits for Lake Superior are as follows:
| Species | Open Season | Daily and Possession Limits |
| A. Rainbow trout, including steelhead | ||
| Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | Continuous | 5 in aggregate with brown and brook trout and splake. No more than 3 may be clipped rainbow trout, including steelhead. The minimum size limit for clipped rainbow trout is 16 inches in length. Clipped rainbow trout have their adipose fin removed and must show a healed scar. No harvest of unclipped rainbow trout is allowed. All unclipped rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately and it is unlawful for anyone to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any unclipped rainbow trout while on or fishing in Lake Superior. |
| In all streams of the Lake Superior watershed in St. Louis, Lake, Carlton, and Cook Counties above the posted boundaries and their tributaries. | Saturday nearest April 15 to September 30 | No harvest of rainbow trout is allowed. All rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately. It is unlawful for anyone to have in possession, regardless of where taken, any rainbow trout while on or fishing in the listed waters. |
| B. Brook trout and splake Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | Saturday nearest April 15 through Labor Day | 5 in aggregate with brown and rainbow trout. The aggregate limit for brook trout and splake is 1 and the minimum size limit is 20 inches in length. |
| In all streams of the Lake Superior watershed in St. Louis, Lake, Carlton, and Cook Counties above the posted boundaries and their tributaries. | Saturday nearest April 15 to September 30 | 5 in aggregate with brown trout. No more than 1 may be over 16 inches in length. |
| C. Brown trout Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | Continuous | 5 in aggregate with rainbow and brook trout and splake. No more than 1 may be over 16 inches and the minimum size limit is 10 inches in length. |
| In all streams of the Lake Superior watershed in St. Louis, Lake, Carlton, and Cook Counties above the posted boundaries and their tributaries. | Saturday nearest April 15 to September 30 | 5 in aggregate with brook trout and splake. No more than 1 may be over 16 inches in length. |
| D. Lake trout Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | December 1 through the first full weekend in October | 3 |
| E. Chinook, coho, Atlantic, and pink salmon | Continuous | 5 in aggregate. All must be at least 10 inches in length. Only 1 may be an Atlantic salmon. |
| F. Smelt | Continuous | Smelt may be possessed without limit and may be bought or sold at |
| G. Walleye Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | Saturday two weeks prior to Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through March 1 | 2. All must be at least 15 inches in length. |
| H. Northern pike Lake Superior and all streams and rivers from Lake Superior upstream to the posted boundaries, including the St. Louis River upstream to the Highway 23 bridge, and Lake Superior tributaries with no posted boundaries. | Saturday two weeks prior to Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through March 1 | 2 |
All other species may be taken as allowed by inland regulations. When the closing date of the season falls on a Saturday, the season extends to the following Sunday.
Only a single hook per rod may be used for angling below the posted boundaries in tributaries to Lake Superior, except in the Pigeon River (Cook County), and the St. Louis River (St. Louis and Carlton Counties). "Single hook" does not include a treble or double hook, stinger hook, or lure with multiple single hooks or more than one hook on any type of drop line or at the end of the line.
Minn. R. agency 158, ch. 6262, GENERAL RESTRICTIONS, pt. 6262.0300
Statutory Authority: MS s 14.388; 84.027; 97A.045; 97C.025; 97C.315; 97C.395; 97C.401; 97C.415; 97C.811; and others at 19 SR 6