Ready for trout season?

Looking forward to trout season? Minnesota’s popular warm weather, stream trout season opens Saturday, April 16, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 16 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.

Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams. Anglers fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license.

More details: Find trout fishing regulations

Search the DNR StreamFinder

Trout anglers, you can find information on Minnesota’s trout streams and lakes on the DNR StreamFinder. Modeled after the DNR’s popular LakeFinder tool, StreamFinder provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. Also find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota’s six trout fishing regions.

More details: Find your fishing spot 

Planning for the North Shore?

As rivers on the North Shore of Lake Superior begin to melt, rainbow trout will gather at the mouths creating a fantastic fishing opportunity. Use smaller flies or spawn under a casting bobber to target these fish. Once the rivers are open, follow them upriver.

More details: DNR fishing tips, DNR steelhead webinar and Minnesota Steelheader

Do you need a trout stamp?

Minnesota anglers need a trout and salmon stamp if they are 18-64 years old and wish to fish in designated trout water or possess trout.

Anglers can purchase the trout and salmon stamp validation with their fishing license for an additional $10. For an extra 75 cents, purchasers can receive the pictorial stamp. It also is available for purchase as a collectible for $10.75. Revenue from stamp sales is dedicated to trout and salmon management and habitat work.

More details: Learn about the trout and salmon stamp

Two pink salmon painted by Mark Thone of Shakopee are on the 2022 trout and salmon stamp.

Reminder: Renew watercraft registration early

Boaters, here’s a reminder to renew expired watercraft registrations before this year’s boating season. The DNR is encouraging boat owners to renew registrations online or at a local deputy registrar’s office rather than by mail. If renewing online, they can print out the confirmation page to use as a temporary permit. Boaters also may write down their temporary authorization number from the confirmation page. The registration card and expiration decals will then be mailed to the boat owner.

To renew online, visit the DNR’s online license sales web page, click on “Get Started” and follow the prompts.

To renew in person, visit a deputy registrar. Deputy registrar locations are available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Boaters can also renew in person at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

‘One of my best fishing trips’

Rose took this picture during a trip to her cabin with her cousin. They woke up early in the morning to go fishing. It was a cold morning on Burrows Lake and she was casting around a swim jig.

“I decided to cast near a dock and boom, it was immediate dead weight. I wasn’t sure what kind of fish it was until it was near the boat. I saw the beautiful sandy colors of a smallmouth bass. My cousin netted it and as soon as it was in the boat I was jumping and yelling so loud. It was 20 inches and 4.5 pounds. My biggest fish of that species!” Read more of Rose’s story including how she went on to catch even bigger fish.

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