DNR proposes reducing statewide walleye limits from 6 to 4

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced it is proposing to reduce the statewide walleye regulations for inland waters, limiting anglers to four walleyes instead of six.

The existing walleye regulation allowing anglers to keep a limit of six has been in place since 1956. According to the DNR, the proposed change is driven by several factors.

“The DNR is taking proactive steps to help ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the excellent walleye fishing we have in Minnesota,” said Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager. “Over the last 70 years that the current limit has been in place, many factors have changed, including climactic conditions, invasive species introductions, and fish-finding technologies.”

If approved, the regulation would take effect on March 1, 2027.

The DNR stated in a Monday press release that the current regulation of only one walleye over 20 inches in possession would remain in place.

“We have discussed this walleye limit proposal informally for a long time, including working with anglers and interested groups to see if this is something anglers would support. Now we’re going through the formal process to propose the change and gather input,” Parsons said. “This proposal is informed by what fisheries research and sampling data point to about walleye in the future.”

From 2021 to 2023, the DNR interviewed more than 4,000 anglers to gather feedback about the proposed reduction in walleye limits. According to the DNR, 67% supported reducing the walleye bag limit, 18% opposed it, and 15% were neutral.

The DNR has also conducted online surveys in 2023 and 2025, with data showing that the majority of participants supported reducing walleye bag limits.

Several large lakes across northern Minnesota, including Mille Lacs and Lake of the Woods, are well known for walleye fishing and see significant angling pressure during both the summer and winter seasons. Farther east, numerous lakes in Cook County are also recognized for their walleye populations.

The DNR is accepting public comment on the proposed rule change until 4:30 p.m. on March 5, 2026. The public can submit comments by:

• Email to fisheries.rulemaking.comments.dnr@state.mn.us. Please mention “walleye limit” in the subject line or body of the email.
• Phone the Minnesota DNR at 651-259-5235.
• Mail to Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

The proposed regulation change to reduce the walleye bag limit from six to four comes a year after the DNR ended a decade-long experimental walleye regulation for Saganaga, Gull, and Seagull Lakes in Cook County.

From 2015 to 2025, the DNR set a 17 inch minimum requirement and a limit of three walleye for each lake. DNR officials told WTIP in previous interviews, the intent of the 10-year experimental walleye regulation was to boost recruitment and walleye populations. However, after 10-years, the DNR did not see a significant impact on walleye populations.

The DNR then removed the 17 inch minimum requirement, but kept the limit of three walleye in effect. 

EJ Isaac, the DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, told WTIP that the proposed statewide change reducing the inland walleye limit from six to four would not apply to border water lakes with existing regulations. Walleye bag limits on Saganaga and other border water lakes with established regulations will remain unchanged.

For fishing guides on Saganaga Lake near the Gunflint Trail, differing walleye regulations on a border water lake shared with Ontario have caused confusion throughout the years. On the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake, anglers are allowed to keep four walleye, with one permitted over 18.1 inches. On the Minnesota side, the limit remains three walleye, with one allowed over 20 inches.

Jessica Berg-Collman, a fishing guide for Seagull Creek Fishing Camp, said that because the 10-year experimental regulations on Saganaga Lake did not result in improved walleye populations, it would be less confusing for anglers if regulations were “more uniform” across the entire lake.

More information about the proposal, including previous public input and factors the DNR considered, is available on the Minnesota DNR website.

Kalli Hawkins January 15, 2026