Minnesota DNR seeks input on winter trout season dates for lakes

Minnesota is asking anglers whether the winter trout season on lakes should stay as it is. A Department of Natural Resources release dated Oct. 15, 2026, says the agency is evaluating winter angling season dates for trout in lakes, and that public comment will guide whether to keep or change that structure.

The season covers lake trout and the stream trout that live in lakes: brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and splake. Opening dates are not the same everywhere. Lakes inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and lakes outside the BWCAW currently open on different dates.

Beth Holbrook, a DNR fisheries research scientist, said the department wants to hear from people while it considers future adjustments. Comments run through Jan. 31, 2027, three ways: a five-question online questionnaire (a paper copy is available on request), email to beth.holbrook@state.mn.us, or mail to Beth Holbrook, Fish and Wildlife Division, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401. The phone number in the release is 218-203-4312. Any season change would take effect no earlier than March 2028.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Minnesota DNR — Seeks input on winter trout season in lakes (Oct. 15, 2026).