Anglers can catch and release trout in southeastern Minnesota 

Winter trout fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors along streams that meander through the scenic bluffs and hills of southeastern Minnesota.

Trout fishing is catch-and-release only from Jan. 1 through Friday, April 15, at streams in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties (Dakota County and the Vermillion River are not included in this season).

More details: Find streams in southeastern Minnesota and park and town maps

Trout in lakes season dates

Wondering when you can fish for trout in lakes this year? Here are the dates for 2022:

• Jan. 15 to March 31 for lakes outside or partly outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
• Jan. 1 to March 31 for lakes entirely within the BWCAW.

If you’re interested in finding more information about where to fish for trout this winter, the DNR trout fishing page lists Minnesota's fishable trout lakes.

More details: Find Minnesota trout lakes 

Join webinars on ice fishing and darkhouse spearing

Ice fishing and darkhouse spearing webinars are coming soon!

A webinar on ice fishing for panfish is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 12. Scott Mackenthun, a DNR area fisheries supervisor, will discuss tips and techniques anglers can use to have fun catching sunfish, crappie and perch.

The following week, a darkhouse spearing webinar is at noon Wednesday, Jan. 19. James Burnham, R3 coordinator, and Amanda Johnson, with the Minnesota Darkhouse and Angling Association, will discuss the practice of using decoys lowered through a large hole in the ice to lure a northern pike close enough to harvest the pike using a spear.

The webinars are part of the DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series, which aims to give participants quick, relevant information on upcoming seasons and events, and skills to help enjoy these opportunities. Registration is required and free.

More details: Register for the webinars

Learn new fishing skills this year

Want to learn new outdoor skills in the new year? Check out recordings of our outdoor skills webinars. You’ll find information on fishing for a variety of species, talks on fishing methods and other outdoors activities.

More details: Watch recorded webinars

DNR internships available for college students

College students: We have more than 200 summer internships available across the state!

The DNR has many internship areas to choose from including in fisheries management. Some of the work these internships will cover includes fisheries assessment work on lakes and rivers, habitat surveys, invasive carp monitoring, river monitoring, rearing trout, research projects, Lake Superior fisheries management, fish pathology and aquatic plant management.

You’ll get hands-on experience in natural resources. Apply now through Jan. 31.

More details: Get more information and apply

Share your input about DNR's electronic license system

We need your input about the electronic license system! If you purchase fishing or hunting licenses, register or title a recreational vehicle, or plan to in the future, please fill out the online questionnaire to share your feedback on the license system and what you want in the future as systems are modernized. The questionnaire is available through Jan. 31.

More details: Share your thoughts