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Winter Trout Season Dates Questionnaire

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is evaluating winter angling season dates for trout in lakes and is seeking input from the public to help guide whether to maintain or modify the structure of the winter trout season.

The winter trout season for trout in lakes applies to lake trout and stream trout (brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, splake). The season currently includes different opening dates for lakes within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and for those outside the BWCAW. 

This questionnaire will be open from October 15, 2026 through January 31, 2027.


1.  

In Minnesota, the winter ice-fishing season for trout, including lake trout and/or stream trout (brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and splake), generally starts on January 1 for lakes entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Saturday closest to January 15 for lakes outside or partly outside the BWCAW.

Should the winter trout season continue to have two separate opening dates? *

* required
2.  

Should the winter trout season have a start date based on a set date (e.g., January 1, regardless of day of the week), or always start on a Saturday? *

* required
3.  

When considering the winter ice-fishing season for trout, including lake trout and/or stream trout in Minnesota lakes, which of the following statements best reflect your beliefs? *

* required
4.  

A longer winter trout season could result in increased harvest on lake trout and/or stream trout, which could cause a decrease in the number of quality-sized fish. Which of the following statements do you agree with most? *

* required
5.  

Please select all of the following groups that you associate with: *

* required