Minnesota DNR Opens Year-Round Catch-and-Release Bass Fishing

(KNSI) – Anglers got an early gift this year as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added a new catch-and-release season that makes largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing open year-round.

The rule for inland waters went into effect Monday. Before now, bass fishing was limited to a defined harvest season. Under the new framework, bass seasons will alternate between harvest and catch-and-release periods with no full closures in between. Anglers can fish for bass before the traditional May opener as long as they release what they catch. Bass spawning typically peaks in late May, later than many other species, which is why the state doesn’t allow the fish to be kept until later in the year. Bass can be kept for cooking starting May 23rd.

Little Falls Area Fisheries Supervisor Eric Altena says bass populations across the state have been growing in both size and geographic range, and DNR officials say there’s no biological evidence that catch-and-release fishing before spawning season poses any conservation risk.

The change has broad backing as anglers are hooked on the idea. A 2023 DNR survey drew more than 3,000 responses, with 91% of anglers either supporting or strongly supporting the proposal. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe were also supportive, with the Leech Lake Band asking that the DNR continue monitoring bass populations as fishing opportunities expand.

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