Proposed Changes to Special and Experimental Fishing Regulations for 2026
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering changes to several experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2026 fishing season.
Each year, the DNR proposes several experimental and special fishing regulations. Experimental regulations have a set evaluation period (typically 10 years), after which the DNR must determine whether the change should become permanent. Special regulations are selected from a suite of regulation toolbox options that have proven effective at achieving specific goals. Special regulations do not have an end date, although DNR reviews their performance as part of an individual lake’s management planning cycle.
The DNR is considering regulation changes that would affect these fisheries:
- Walleye in Sand Lake and connected waters (Itasca County)
- Walleye in Rainy Lake (St. Louis and Koochiching Counties)
- Sunfish in Platte Lake (Crow Wing County)
- Sunfish in Sullivan Lake (Morrison County)
- Sunfish in Green Prairie Fish Lake (Morrison County)
- Sunfish in Long (Higgins) Lake (Todd County)
- Sunfish in Maple Lake (Todd County)
- Sunfish in Moose Lake (Todd County)
- Sunfish in Rush Lake (Otter Tail County)
- Sunfish in North and South Ten Mile Lakes (Otter Tail County)
- Sunfish in German Lake (Otter Tail County)
- Sunfish in Jewett Lake (Otter Tail County)
- Sunfish in Rabideau Lake (Beltrami County)
Please complete this survey to provide your input on these potential regulation changes -- if you are only interested in some of the lakes, feel free to skip questions. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be open through September 30, 2025.
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