Quick answer: For the 2026 open water season on Mille Lacs Lake (opener: Saturday, May 9, 2026), state-licensed anglers can keep three walleye per day, all 17 inches or longer, with only one over 20 inches. The open-water walleye regulation is in place through November 30, 2026. Night fishing is closed from May 11 through August 31 (10 p.m.–6 a.m.), with exceptions for muskie, pike, and bowfishing. Full species-by-species regulations are below. Always verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR.
| Species | Season Dates (2026) | Size Rules | Daily/Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | May 9 – Nov. 30, 2026 | Keep 17″ or longer; only one over 20″ | 3 |
| Smallmouth Bass | Harvest: May 23 – Sept. 13; catch-and-release all other dates | Over 17″ must be released | 3 (combined with largemouth) |
| Largemouth Bass | Harvest: May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027; catch-and-release all other dates | Over 17″ must be released | 3 (combined with smallmouth) |
| Northern Pike | May 9, 2026 – Mar. 31, 2027 (spearing: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28) | Over 30″ must be released | 5 |
| Muskellunge | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 | Under 54″ must be released | 1 |
| Yellow Perch | Open continuously | None | 5 |
| Tullibee (Cisco) | Open continuously | None | 5 |
| Burbot (Eelpout) | Open continuously | All must be released | 0 (catch-and-release only) |
Night closure: 10 p.m.–6 a.m., May 11 – Aug. 31, 2026. Exceptions: muskie/pike fishing (from June 6, artificial lures or sucker minnows over 8″ only) and bowfishing for non-game fish.
Mille Lacs Lake Summer 2026 Fishing Regulations Released
March 5, 2026
Today the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) released the 2026 summer open water fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake walleye. Walleye regulations continue to relax and anglers can keep three walleye per day. Mille Lacs is also a world class bass, northern pike and muskie lake.
Below is a summary of the Mille Lacs Lake open water regulations followed by details on the DNR’s announcement. Please be sure to verify all information directly with MNDNR.
Walleye: Starting with the Minnesota Open Water Fishing Opener at 12:01am on Saturday, May 9, 2026 and continuing through Monday, November 30, 2026, anglers can keep three walleyes over 17″. Of the three walleyes allowed in possession, only one can be over 20″. All other walleyes must be immediately released.
Smallmouth Bass: The Smallmouth Bass season is now continuously open on Mille Lacs. Smallmouths are catch-and-release through Friday, May 22, 2026, and from Monday, September 14, 2026 until late May 2027. The smallmouth bass angling season is open from Saturday, May 23, 2026 until Sunday, September 13, 2026; during the angling season all bass greater than 17 inches must be immediately released. The combined smallmouth and largemouth bass limit is three (3).
Largemouth Bass: The Largemouth Bass season is now continuously open on Mille Lacs. Largemouths are catch-and-release through Friday, May 22, 2026, and from Monday, March 1, 2027 until late May 2027. The largemouth bass angling season is open from Saturday, May 23, 2026 until Sunday, February 28, 2027; during the angling season all bass greater than 17 inches must be immediately released. The combined smallmouth and largemouth bass limit is three (3).
Northern Pike: All pike greater than 30 inches must be immediately released. From Saturday, May 9, 2026 through Wednesday, March 31, 2027 the possession limit is five (5). The spearing season lasts from Saturday, November 15, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027.
Muskellunge: All muskie less than 54 inches must be immediately released. The season lasts from Saturday, June 6, 2026 to Monday, November 30, 2026. If night fishing for muskie between the hours of 10pm to 6am in June, July or August, anglers can only target with artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches.
Tullibee (Cisco): The tullibee season is continuously open. Possession limit is five (5).
Yellow Perch: The perch season is continuously open. The daily and possession limit is five (5).
Burbot (Eelpout): All burbot must be immediately released.
Night Closures: From Monday, May 11, 2026 through Monday, August 31, 2026, night closures will be in effect on Mille Lacs. from 10pm to 6am. Night fishing is allowed starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Night Closure Exceptions: Pike and muskie fishing – beginning Saturday, June 6, 2026 and with artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches – is allowed at night. Bow fishing is also allowed at night so long as neither angling equipment nor anything other than non-game fish are in an angler’s possession.
What the DNR Announced
On March 5, 2026, the Minnesota DNR announced it would keep the three-walleye limit for the Mille Lacs open water season, continuing the regulation in place since late summer 2025. The harvest is shared under treaty between state-licensed anglers and the Ojibwe Tribes: the 2026 state allocation is 105,300 pounds, with 79,700 pounds for Tribal fishing — a modest reduction from the state’s 113,600-pound share in 2025, reflecting a slight dip in the adult walleye population in last fall’s assessment netting.
As in 2025, the agreement gives the DNR flexibility to keep the walleye fishery open even if harvest runs up to 15% over the state’s share, though the agency can tighten regulations mid-season — including moving to catch-and-release — if harvest pace requires it. Any overage is deducted from the following year’s state allocation. That means the rules above could change during the summer, so check the DNR’s Mille Lacs page before your trip.
The DNR also reminds anglers to clean, drain, and dispose of unwanted bait to protect the lake from aquatic invasive species. A free decontamination station is available 24/7 at the Shaw-Bosh-Kung Bay public access, about 8 miles south of Garrison on the lake’s west side — roughly a 20-minute drive from The Red Door Resort on the north shore.
Current Mille Lacs Lake open water fishing regulations can be found here. Statewide Minnesota fishing regulation information can be found here.
Summaries of past Mille Lacs Open Water Fishing Regulations can be found using the links below:
2025 Mille Lacs Open Water Regulations
2024 Mille Lacs Open Water Regulations
2023 Mille Lacs Open Water Regulations
2022 Mille Lacs Open Water Regulations
2021 Mille Lacs Open Water Regulations
We’re looking forward to the open water fishing season at The Red Door Resort. Watch our various social media channels for catch photos, lodging updates and relaxation opportunities. And remember that the north shore of Lake Mille Lacs is only two hours from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. Hope to see you soon!
Last updated July 2026
