ST. PAUL — Anglers may soon be able to fish for bass year-round under proposed rules from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The current bass season periods will remain in place, but the current closed season periods will transition to open catch-and-release.
The state Legislature added largemouth and smallmouth bass to the list of species with a continuous season, joining sunfish, white crappie, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, burbot, cisco (tullibee), lake whitefish, common carp, and native rough fish.
The measure enjoyed bipartisan support, and the DNR said bass are doing well and the rule change provides "more angling experience with no biological risk."
The change is now moving through the DNR's expediting rulemaking process.
Comments can be submitted until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, and should mention "bass season rules." They should be sent to Shannon Fisher, DNR fisheries populations monitoring and regulations manager, at shannon.fisher@state.mn.us.
-
Events this week include a program on salamanders at the Sax-Zim Bog, a serenity stroll at Lake Bemidji State Park and a party at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of August 17, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on lake water temperatures and those stubborn bears at this feeders. -
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling, Mississippi Headwaters Music Festival, Caige Jambor, Miss Myra, Ruby Blue and Amanda Standalone.
