Minnesota DNR Seeks Input For Proposed St. Louis River Fishing Regulation Changes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for anglers' input on proposed fishing regulation changes for several bodies of water in the state. Most of the regulations have to do with border waters, including the St. Croix River and the St. Louis River.

Proposed St. Louis River Regulation Changes

The St. Louis River is one of the best fisheries in the state when it comes to walleye. I've been fishing the St. Louis River for over 20 years, and it's my go-to spot to catch some big walleyes. If you understand the river and how the fish move throughout the year, you can have some pretty good luck. The walleye in the river are big, too.

A 15-inch walleye is a pretty respectable catch on most inland lakes, but that's the minimum size for keeping a walleye or sauger on the St. Louis River. Under current regulations, anglers can keep two fish combined. The DNR isn't proposing to lower that limit. Instead, it wants to add a restriction allowing only one walleye or sauger longer than 20 inches in an angler's possession. That would bring the St. Louis River Estuary regulations in line with other Minnesota boundary waters regulations while providing additional protection for larger fish.

Read More: What To Do When You Catch A Tagged Walleye On St. Louis River

Also on the St. Louis River, there is a proposed catch-and-release bass season. This would allow bass to be fished year-round, with the catch-and-release season from March 2nd to the Friday before Memorial Day.

Ken Hayes

Perch Lake has had substantial work done on it in recent years. Now with the habitat improvement project complete, the small perch lake is connected hydrologically to the St. Louis River, allowing fish to pass in and out of the lake. The DNR is proposing the small lake be included in the St. Louis River regulations since they are now connected.

Ken Hayes

You can provide feedback on these issues and other bodies of water in Minnesota on their online survey.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to more accurately reflect that the proposal would not reduce the current two-fish combined limit. Instead, anglers would still be allowed to keep two walleye or sauger, but only one could be longer than 20 inches