Minnesota Sets Winter Walleye Limit at Four Fish
The Minnesota DNR has set the Upper Red Lake winter possession limit at four walleye, with only one allowed over 17 inches.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Fishing
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources set the Upper Red Lake winter walleye possession limit at four fish, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches permitted. The winter rule marks the fourth consecutive winter with this regulation.
Why it matters
Winter angling on Red Lake is very popular, and the lower bag limit reflects management of the walleye population. The regulation is part of a joint harvest plan between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR.
The winter possession limit is four walleye, with one allowed over 17 inches, compared with five fish during the 2026 open water season. Fall gill net surveys recorded 35.2 walleye per net statewide, with more than half of the catch between 13 and 16 inches.
The players
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for managing Minnesota's fish and wildlife resources, including setting fishing regulations on state waters.
Red Lake Nation
The sovereign tribal nation whose members co-manage Red Lake's walleye fishery with the state under a joint harvest plan.
The details
Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, guided by a joint harvest plan agreed upon by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. Strong numbers of young walleye should make for exceptional fishing over the next few years.
Timeline
2026 open water season: five-fish possession limit in effect.
Fall 2026: fall assessment and gill net survey conducted.
Winter 2026-27: four-fish winter possession limit takes effect.
Next few years: young walleye expected to reach harvestable size.
Season Trajectory
The winter four-fish limit is an operational step under the joint harvest plan between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR. It is the fourth consecutive winter with the one-fish-over-17-inches rule, showing a sustained management approach to Red Lake walleye.
Anglers fishing Upper Red Lake this winter can keep no more than four walleye, and only one may exceed 17 inches. Planning catch plans around the lower limit will matter for winter trips compared with the five-fish open water rule.
The takeaway
Anglers heading to Upper Red Lake this winter should plan around the four-fish limit and the single-fish-over-17-inches rule. Checking the latest DNR regulations before fishing helps avoid violations.
What happens next
The four-fish winter possession limit takes effect in winter 2026-27, following the fall 2026 gill net survey.
Further reading
Explore more on Fishing to see how seasonal regulations shape angling plans across the state.
More information
Review the Full Upper Red Lake fishing regulations on the Minnesota DNR website.
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