Daily limit
2 fish possession limit
Season
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Max 1 over 40 in.
Size ruleOnly 1 over 40 inches; all fish from 30 to 40 inches must be released immediately
MN · Northern pike
Minnesota divides northern pike rules into three zones. The Northeast Zone allows two fish with a protected 30–40 inch slot, the North-central Zone allows ten with a smaller slot, and the Southern Zone allows two fish of at least 24 inches. Special-regulation lakes override these zone rules.
Verified 2026-10-24Limits at a glance
Regulation period: May 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027.
Daily limit
10 fish possession limit
Season
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Max 2 over 26 in.
Size ruleNo more than 2 over 26 inches; all fish from 22 to 26 inches must be released immediately
Daily limit
2 fish possession limit
Season
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
ReleaseMay keep
Size ruleMinimum length 24 inches
Watch for
- The North-central/Southern boundary starts at Ortonville on the South Dakota border and runs east past Hutchinson, then south on State Highway 22 to Glencoe, east on U.S. 212 to Chaska, south on State Highway 41 to the Minnesota River, and on to the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin border. See the booklet’s zone map.
- Waters with special regulations and border waters are not covered by the zone rules; the special rule applies to both angling and spearing.
- The most northern pike you may possess statewide is 10. Zone limits follow where the fish was caught, not where you possess it.
- Conservation licenses have reduced limits (booklet p. 28), and dark-house spearing limits differ (p. 81).
Quick answers
What is the daily limit for northern pike in Minnesota?
Northeast Zone (north and east of U.S. Highway 53 from Duluth to International Falls): 2 fish possession limit. Size rule: Only 1 over 40 inches; all fish from 30 to 40 inches must be released immediately. 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?
May 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027, as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Last verified 2026-10-24.