The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with plans to reduce the statewide walleye possession limit from six to four.
If approved, the move would mark the first update to the limit since 1956.
“The DNR is taking proactive steps to help ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the excellent walleye fishing we have in Minnesota,” stated Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager, in a news release.
“Over the last 70 years that the current limit has been in place, many factors have changed, including climactic conditions, invasive species introductions and fish-finding technologies.”
The agency has thrown around the idea for years and has gathered public input through in-person and online surveys.
According to public input gathered between 2021 and 2023, around 67% supported a reduction in the walleye bag limit, 18% opposed and 15% were neutral.
The sample size represents 4,000 on-the-water interviews with anglers.
The four-fish limit would go into effect March 1, 2027. The current limit of only one walleye over 20 inches would remain in place.
“We have discussed this walleye limit proposal informally for a long time, including working with anglers and interested groups to see if this is something anglers would support. Now we’re going through the formal process to propose the change and gather input,” Parsons stated.
“This proposal is informed by what fisheries research and sampling data point to about walleye in the future.”
The formal comment period for the proposed rule change is open until March 5.
-
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerGov. Tim Walz commended Minnesotans’ compassion during tragedy and praised their resilience after a federal immigration crackdown, political assassination and school shooting. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock Image via Minnesota News ConnectionExtra dollars in the state will fund the public input process ahead of possible changes to the state's financial aid program. -
Plus: the federal government approved St. Louis County's public labor agreements for road and bridge projects; an additional 5,000 trees will be distributed in the ReForest Bemidji event; and four Northern Minnesota fire departments will host Women Explore Fire Day events on May 2, 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEResearch indicates that in the coming decades, the state is likely to see more risk days of wildfires starting on the ground due to more extreme droughts connected to climate change. -
Matt C/UnsplashWomen Explore Fire Day in Minnesota offers hands-on opportunities to learn more about volunteer, paid on-call and full-time positions in local fire departments in all regions. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesAfter 10,000 tree seedlings were claimed within 48 hours, the ReForest Bemidji program secured an additional 5,000 trees for its distribution May 17, 2026. -
Lorie ShaullA recent national study found an increasing number of federal environmental impact statements are receiving significant contributions from citizen science data. -
The multi-bill omnibus signed April 21, 2026, allows happy hours for nursing home residents without a license and expands local authority in some Northern MN communities. -
The bill would define e-bikes as having output of no more than 750 watts, and motorized bicycles, 750-1,500 watts. Anything with higher power is defined as an electric motorcycle. -
Three of the communities receiving grant funding in this cycle are in Northern Minnesota: Floodwood, Fosston and Deer River.
