MN · Muskellunge (and tiger muskie)
Minnesota muskellunge (and tiger muskie) limits
On Minnesota's inland waters you may keep one muskellunge, and only if it is at least 54 inches long; the harvest season runs June 6 to Nov. 30 in 2026. A tiger (hybrid) muskie has its own rule: one fish of at least 40 inches. Border waters use lower minimums (50 inches on the Canada, North Dakota and Wisconsin borders, 40 inches on the Iowa border), and two inland river stretches are catch-and-release only.
Verified 2026-11-02Limits at a glance
Regulation period: March 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027.
Daily limit
1 per day (also the possession limit)
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 54 inchesDaily and possession limits are the same in Minnesota unless the booklet says otherwise. The 2027 muskie opener is June 5, 2027.
A measuring board for this length rule. The name is the Amazon listing title.
Frabill Expandable Bump Board
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Daily limit
1 per day (also the possession limit)
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 40 inches
Daily limit
Catch-and-release only
Size ruleNo muskellunge may be kept
Daily limit
1 per day (possession)
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 50 inches
Daily limit
1 per day (possession)
DatesOpen all year
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 50 inches
Daily limit
1 per day (possession)
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 50 inches
Daily limit
1 per day (possession)
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 40 inches
Watch for
- Tell a muskie from a northern pike by the pores under the lower jaw: a muskie has six or more on each side, a pike five or fewer. A tiger muskie has rounded tail-fin tips; a pure muskie's are pointed. The booklet's identification page (p. 85) shows all three.
- A Conservation License halves Minnesota bag limits and rounds down, so the 1-fish muskie limit becomes catch-and-release for Conservation License holders.
- While you are fishing or on the water, a muskellunge must keep its head and tail on, and it must also be transported with head and tail intact so it can be measured.
- Minnesota DNR says muskies live in 102 lakes, 48 of which got them through DNR stocking; tiger muskies are stocked in several heavily fished Twin Cities lakes.
- These figures come from the 2026 booklet; Minnesota's fishing year ends Feb. 28, 2027. We will re-check this page when the 2027 booklet is out.
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Minnesota · Muskellunge
Quick answers
What is the daily limit for muskellunge (and tiger muskie) in Minnesota?
Inland waters, muskellunge: 1 per day (also the possession limit). Size rule: Minimum length 54 inches. Other waters and date windows have different rules; see the table. Verify with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Which regulations do these Minnesota figures come from?
March 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027, as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Last verified 2026-11-02.