As ice-out begins and waters warm, anglers should regularly visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) website to check for seasonal closures that protect fish spawning areas.
Closures, which routinely occur each year depending on local conditions, are listed as an Angler Alert at mndnr.gov/fishing. A direct link also is provided at mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.
Portions of waters closed to fishing also are posted at access sites and in other visible areas. Anglers may fish in areas that are not posted.
Seasonal Fishing Closures
The following waters in the portions designated are closed to the taking of all fish during the periods specified to protect fish spawning areas. A few may also be closed to boating to further protect concentrations of fish. Look for signs at access sites and in the areas as noted. All dates are inclusive.
Bass Lake – Itasca County
North basin on the west shore near the Pincherry Access and south basin along north shore in the Elm Point area closed to fishing March 26-June 30.
Chub Lake – Carlton County
Southeast Bay just east of the edge of the Baptist Church Camp lot closed to boating and fishing May 12- June 30.
Channel – Cook County
Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border closed to fishing April 1-May 30.
Cross River – Cook County
(Inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 25.
Jewett Lake – Otter Tail County
Southwest shore T.134,R.43,S.23 closed to fishing March 22-June 30.
Lake Maud – Becker County
Southwest bay closed to fishing March 26-June 20.
Malign River (Northern Lights Rapids) – Cook County
Ontario side of Saganaga Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 31.
Otter Tail River – Becker County
Area below Highway 10 culvert near Frazee closed to fishing March 26-May 11.
Pelican River – Becker County
Area below Bucks Mill Dam to Buck Lake and from Big Detroit Lake upstream to Minnesota Highway 34 closed to fishing March 26-May 11.
Round Lake – I tasca County
Two bays on the south side of the lake closed to fishing March 26-June 30.
Sea Gull River – Cook County
Area from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3-mile north of the narrows closed to fishing April 1-May 25.
Saganaga Falls – Cook County
Area on the Minnesota-Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake closed to fishing April 1-May 31.
Toad River – Otter Tail County
Inlet to Big Pine Lake upstream to County Road 13 (T.137, R.38,S.32) closed to fishing
March 22-June 1.
