Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Minnesota (Complete Guide)

Minnesota offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Minnesota are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in MN.

Month	Minnesota Fishing Location
January	Lake of the Woods for walleye, sauger, and perch.
February	Upper Mississippi River for panfish and walleye.
March	St. Croix River for sauger, walleye, and sturgeon.
April	Minnesota River for catfish and smallmouth bass.
May	Lake Mille Lacs for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
June	Lake Vermilion for walleye, musky, and smallmouth bass.
July	Leech Lake for walleye, musky, and smallmouth bass.
August	Gull Lake for walleye, largemouth bass, and northern pike.
September	Lake Winnibigoshish for walleye and perch.
October	Big Stone Lake for walleye, perch, and crappie.
November	Red Lake for walleye, northern pike, and crappie.
December	Lake Minnetonka for walleye and crappie.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Minnesota. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Minnesota

North Shore of Lake Superior – April to October – Steelhead Trout

Root River – May to September – Brown Trout

Whitewater River – April to October – Brown Trout

Big Fork River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Kinnickinnic River – March to October – Brown Trout

Vermillion River – April to October – Brown and Rainbow Trout

Cannon River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike

Prairie River – May to September – Brook Trout

Upper Mississippi River – June to October – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Littlefork River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Rum River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye

St. Louis River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Straight River – May to September – Brown Trout

Trout Run Creek – April to October – Rainbow Trout

Zumbro River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Rush River – April to October – Brown Trout

Blue Earth River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Snake River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike

Sauk River – May to September – Smallmouth Bass, Walleye

Upper Red Lake – May to September – Walleye, Northern Pike

Best Sections of Lakes to Fish in Minnesota

Lake Superior (June-August) – Targeting Lake Trout, Steelhead Trout, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon.

Lake of the Woods (June-September) – Targeting Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike.

Mille Lacs Lake (May-July) – Targeting Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie.

Leech Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Muskie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass.

Rainy Lake (June-August) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout.

Lake Winnibigoshish (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass.

Lake Vermilion (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie.

Otter Tail Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie.

White Iron Lake (June-August) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout.

Woman Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Largemouth Bass.

Lake Pepin (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish.

Lake Minnewaska (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass, Crappie.

Lake Osakis (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass.

Lake Kabetogama (June-August) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout.

Gull Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass.

Cass Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Largemouth Bass.

Lake Waconia (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie.

Big Sandy Lake (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass.

Lake Traverse (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie.

Lake Bemidji (May-July) – Targeting Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Minnesota

These MN-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Happy Hooker Charters	Duluth, MN
Muskies & More Guide Service	Minneapolis, MN
DH Custom Rods & Tackle	Wayzata, MN
I’d Rather Be Fishing Charters	Duluth, MN
Looper Charters Lake Superior	Duluth, MN
Legacy Angling	Duluth, MN
Prime Time Guide Service	Forest Lake, MN
Nate Berg Fishing Guides	Brainerd, MN
Happy Hooker Charters	Duluth, MN

Best Minnesota Ice Fishing Spots

Lake of the Woods (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike

Mille Lacs Lake (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Perch

Leech Lake (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Perch

Red Lake (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Perch

Upper Red Lake (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Perch

Gull Lake (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Perch

Lake Winnibigoshish (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Perch

Lake Bemidji (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch

Cass Lake (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch

Lake Vermilion (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch

Lake Waconia (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Crappie, Northern Pike

Prior Lake (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch

Medicine Lake (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish

Lake Minnetonka (Jan.-Feb.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish

White Bear Lake (Jan.-Feb.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish

Green Lake (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish

Lake Pepin (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Sauger

Lake Osakis (Dec.-Mar.) – Walleye, Northern Pike, Panfish

Big Stone Lake (Jan.-Feb.) – Walleye, Perch

Lake Mille Lacs (Dec.-Feb.) – Walleye, Perch

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Brook Trout

Brook trout are usually found in cold, clear streams and rivers in Minnesota, and they can be caught year-round, though the best time to fish for them is spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler. Some of the best locations for brook trout fishing in Minnesota include the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Kettle River, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Brown Trout

Brown trout fishing in Minnesota is best in spring and fall, especially in April and May and then again in September and October. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for brown trout. Some of the best locations for brown trout fishing in Minnesota include the South Branch Root River, Whitewater River, and the North Shore of Lake Superior. Brown trout can also be found in some of the state’s stocked streams and lakes.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout fishing in Minnesota is best during the spring and fall months when water temperatures are cooler. April and May are great months to fish for rainbows as the waters warm up, and the fish become more active. In the fall, September and October are prime months for rainbow trout fishing. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the best times of day to fish for rainbows.

The best locations to fish for rainbow trout in Minnesota are the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Root River in southeast Minnesota, and the Whitewater River in the state’s southeastern part.

Lake Trout

Lake trout fishing in Minnesota is best in late spring and early summer, usually from mid-May to mid-June. The best time of day to fish for lake trout is early in the morning or late in the evening when they are most active. Some of the best locations to fish for lake trout in Minnesota include Lake Superior, Burntside Lake, Lake Vermilion, and Gunflint Lake.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are most active in Minnesota from late spring through early fall, with the best months for fishing being June through September. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the best times to catch them. Minnesota’s top locations to fish for smallmouth bass include the St. Croix River, Mississippi River, Lake Mille Lacs, and Lake Minnetonka. When targeting smallmouth bass, look for rocky areas, drop-offs, and weed edges.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass can be caught throughout the year in Minnesota, but the best time to fish for them is from late spring to early fall. The best months to fish for largemouth bass in Minnesota are June, July, and August. Minnesota’s best locations to fish for largemouth bass are lakes and rivers with weedy or vegetated shorelines, such as Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia, and the Mississippi River.

Northern Pike

Pike can be caught year-round, but the best time to fish for them is in early spring and late fall when the water is cooler. In Minnesota, the best months to fish for pike are May, June, and September through November. They can be caught during the day, but early morning and evening tend to be the most productive times. Some of the best locations in Minnesota to fish for pike include Lake Vermilion, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, and Lake of the Woods.

Muskie

Muskie fishing in Minnesota is best during the summer months from late May to early October, with the peak being in mid-June through July. Muskie are most active during low light conditions, so early morning and late evening are the best times to fish for them. The best locations for Muskie fishing in Minnesota include Lake Vermilion, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Mille Lacs, and Lake of the Woods. Look for areas with structure such as weed beds, drop-offs, and underwater rock formations.

Carp

Carp can be caught in Minnesota all year round, but the best time to catch them is in late spring to early summer and early fall, typically May to June and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for carp, especially during hot summer days. The Mississippi, St. Croix, and Minnesota rivers are popular locations for catching carp in Minnesota.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch can be found in Minnesota waters all year round, but the best time to fish for them is in the spring and fall. April, May, September, and October are the most productive for catching perch. They are often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, making those times the best for fishing. Some of Minnesota’s best locations to catch perch are Lake Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion, and Gull Lake.

Walleye

Walleye fishing is best in Minnesota during spring and fall, with May and September being the prime months. Early morning and late evening are the best times to fish for walleye, as they tend to feed more during these times. Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake, Lake of the Woods, and Lake Vermilion are some of the best locations in Minnesota to fish for walleye.

Catfish

Catfish in Minnesota can be caught throughout the year, but the best times to fish for them are summer and fall. The best time of day to fish for catfish is usually at night. Some of the best locations in Minnesota for catfishing include the Mississippi, Minnesota, and Lake Pepin. Catfish can also be caught in many of the state’s smaller lakes and rivers.

Freshwater Drum

Drum fishing is best in the summer months, from May to August, with peak times being early morning and late afternoon. They can be found in the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers. One of the best locations to catch them is in the deep pools near the Lock and Dam #2 in Hastings, Minnesota.

Another great spot is the Mississippi River Pool 4 near Red Wing, often found in the backwater areas and near the mouths of tributaries. The Cannon River is also a great spot to catch drum, particularly around Welch, Minnesota.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake Superior.

Best Fishing in Minnesota on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lake of the Woods – walleye, sauger, northern pike, and perch
Lake Mille Lacs – walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass
Lake Vermilion – walleye, northern pike, and muskie
Gull Lake – walleye, northern pike, and crappie

Spring

Mississippi River (northern part of the state) – Walleye and Sauger
Mille Lacs Lake – Walleye and Perch
Leech Lake – Walleye, Perch, and Northern Pike
Lake Vermilion – Walleye, Crappie, and Northern Pike

Summer

Lake Mille Lacs – walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass
Lake Vermilion – walleye, northern pike, muskie
Mississippi River – smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye
Lake Minnetonka – largemouth bass, muskie, walleye

Fall

Lake Mille Lacs – Walleye
Mississippi River – Catfish
Leech Lake – Muskie
Lake Vermilion – Smallmouth Bass

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wisconsin. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Illinois.