Minnesota DNR Releases Northwest Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released its regional fishing outlooks for areas around Minnesota.  You can find the Northwest Region breakdown below.

(CLICK HERE FOR: Northeast Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025)

Lake of the Woods area:
Walleye and sauger are the most important sport fish in Lake of the Woods, and as such those populations are monitored annually. Annual assessments have been conducted in early September since 1981. Walleye 13 to 16 inches long were above the historic average last September during the annual fall survey. The strong 2018 year class will be contributing to the desired harvest range during the summer of 2025; in addition to the 2021 and 2022 year classes. In addition to these keeper-size walleye, anglers should also notice good numbers of small walleye, in the 9- to 11-inch range. These walleye showed up in good numbers in our annual fall survey. Lake of the Woods is well known for the trophy-size walleye. Fish up to 30 inches are sampled every year during DNR sampling. The abundance of walleye greater than 25 inches remains high and should provide anglers plenty of opportunity to catch large fish. Consider that these fish can be quite old, and that it takes a long time for them to get to be of trophy size. Carefully consider what you will do with one of these fish before you harvest it, as it may have more value to the population than as table fare. Generally, a 25-inch walleye is about 10 to 15 years old, and a 30inch walleye is over 20 years old. Sauger abundance was above the long-term average last September due to multiple strong year-classes from 2014 to 2017, 2019 and 2022. Sauger 12 inches and above were abundant during fall gill netting and last winter’s creel survey. Anglers should be aware of special fishing regulations on Lake of the Woods. These regulations are designed to maintain a quality fishery and fishing experiences. The combined walleye-sauger limit is six, but no more than four of those fish may be walleye. All walleye between 19.5 and 28 inches in length must be immediately released, and only one walleye longer than 28 inches may be possessed. Northern pike are frequently overlooked by many anglers on Lake of the Woods. Both Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River support populations of trophy pike, with individuals over 40 inches long. Northern pike season is open continuously on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. The period immediately after ice-out is an excellent time to participate in this fishery. Anglers who would like to target northern pike should focus their efforts near spawning sites. Major spawning sites are Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay and the Warroad River in addition to the Rainy River proper. Northern pike are also managed by special regulation. The possession limit is three. All northern pike from 30 to 40 inches long must be released immediately. An angler may possess one northern pike over 40 inches long. Lake sturgeon are another species that anglers may encounter, particularly if fishing the lower reaches of the Rainy River or Fourmile Bay. Sturgeon are highly vulnerable to over-harvest, so regulations governing the harvest of these fish are fairly restrictive. Anglers that have purchased a Lake Sturgeon Harvest Tag may harvest one lake sturgeon per calendar year. The harvest season runs from April 24 to May 7, and from July 1 to September 30. Anglers may catch and release fish for sturgeon from May 8 to May 15, and from October 1 through the following April 23. The lake sturgeon season is closed from May 16 to June 30, so anglers cannot fish for sturgeon during this period. Only lake sturgeon from 45 to 50 inches long, or over 75 inches long, may be harvested. Anglers should also be aware that Lake Sturgeon regulations are much more restrictive in Ontario. Sturgeon are classified as threatened and the fishing season is closed. You may not harvest, or fish for, lake sturgeon on the Ontario portions of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. If you are fishing for lake sturgeon, it is very important to know which side of the border you are fishing. Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River have been designated as infested waters due to the presence of spiny water flea, and most recently zebra mussel within Lake of the Woods. With this designation, anglers have an obligation to prevent the spread of these invasive species to other water bodies. Anglers must make sure they do not transport any lake water in their boats. Bilges, live wells and bait wells must all be drained at boat landings, and boat must be trailered with all the plugs out. Check the DNR website for more specific information of how to prevent the spread of spiny water flea and zebra mussels.

Cass Lake area:
Cass Lake and its connected waters are typically a good choice for early season walleye fishing with the inlets and outlets of the connected waters being popular early season spots. The walleye population of Cass Lake is comprised of good numbers of fish between 14 and 21 inches due to the strong 2021 and 2018 year classes. These fish will provide both fish for the frying pan and quality-sized fish for the next few years. The record-strong 2013 year class is fading from the population but a few of these fish remain and are in the mid-20 inch range with some even pushing up toward 30 inches. Night fishing has been popular on Cass Lake for a number of years as the clear water makes this the prime time to fish walleye. Daytime fishing seems to be most productive when there is a chop on the water or during low light periods. The northern pike population is at average levels of abundance with good numbers of fish between 22 and 30 inches. Cass Lake generally produces a few trophy northern pike each year as well. Cass is also well known as a premier native muskellunge lake and anglers catch a wide size range of fish, with some topping 50 inches. Anglers are reminded that the statewide muskellunge season opens on June 7 and the statewide minimum length limit is 54 inches. Yellow perch numbers in Cass Lake are slightly average and abundance of fish over 9 inches is near record high. Fish are growing rapidly which has resulted in anglers finding more keeper sized fish as well as fish over 12 inches. Anglers pursuing sunfish should remember there is a chain-wide five fish daily bag limit for sunfish. The possession limit for sunfish remains at 20 fish. Zebra mussels and starry stonewort are present in the lake. Remember to inspect your boat hull and anchor for unwanted hitchhikers and drain all your water and keep your boat plugs out when leaving the landing area.

Upper Red Lake area:
The fishing outlook for Upper Red Lake is excellent. On waters under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota (the eastern 48,000 acres of Upper Red Lake), licensed anglers will be allowed a daily and possession limit of five walleye with one fish larger than 17 inches allowed in possession. This regulation is intended to focus angler harvest on smaller fish as there is an abundance of these fish in the population. Given the likelihood of an average spring, we are expecting a good bite. Anglers that spread out and find active fish should have no trouble finding plenty of keeper fish as abundance of these fish is excellent. But given that the spawn will have only recently been completed larger spawning fish will be concentrated on the shoreline break so be prepared to accurately measure your catch by having a proper measuring board in your boat. Anglers interested in catching large northern pike are probably already familiar with Upper Red Lake. Northern pike size structure is impressive, and although angler catch rates may be low at times, the incentive is the potential to catch a trophy. Anglers should be aware of the special regulation for northern pike: All fish from 30 to 40 inches must be immediately released, and only one fish greater than 40 inches is allowed in possession. Be sure to examine all northern pike caught for a small tag on the left side of their top (dorsal) fin. These yellow tags have unique numbers and can be reported to the creel clerk, on the Minnesota DNR website, or by contacting the Bemidji Area Fisheries Office. Tagged fish of the appropriate size may be harvested if you choose; however, if you release a tagged fish, please do not remove the tag from the fish. Black crappie are showing up in angler catches in greater numbers than they have in several years. These fish are nearly all from the 2018 year class and average around 12 inches. However, there are a few fish from some older year classes still out there that provide an opportunity to catch an impressive 14 or 15 incher that may invoke memories of the “crappie boom” that occurred in the early 2000s. However, the current bump in crappie fishing success should not be misinterpreted as a new crappie boom, but rather increased opportunity for a few bonus fish as the 2018 year class is not nearly as large as the historic 1995 year class. Anglers targeting black crappie will be most successful in late May and early June looking for fish in and adjacent to likely spawning areas. Anglers should be prepared to encounter a variety of natural resources staff while fishing or accessing Upper Red Lake. In addition to requests by DNR creel survey clerks and conservation officers, staff from the various DNR and Beltrami County invasive species programs may be doing inspections and providing educational information. Red Lake is designated as an infested water with both zebra mussels and starry stonewort present. With spiny water fleas established in Rainy Lake, the Rainy River, and Lake of the Woods, Upper Red Lake and other nearby waters are at risk for direct transfer of this aquatic nuisance species by boaters. Anglers leaving any lake should remember that they are required by law to drain all water from boats, live wells, and bait wells and ensure the effective removal of all aquatic plants and/or other invasive species from their boat, trailer, and other equipment.

Leech Lake area:
The 2025 fishing outlook on Leech Lake is promising especially considering Leech Lake is a destination for multiple species. Current walleye numbers were within or above various management objectives. Several year classes will be available for harvest for the opener. Walleye captured in the 2024 sample ranged in length from 10 to 27 inches, with the majority being from the 2021-year class. These fish are mainly between 15 to 17 inches. The walleye regulation of four fish with only one fish over 20 inches allowed in possession was implemented in 2019 looks to be having the desired effect on the walleye population so will continue for another season. This spring, fry will be stocked for the first time since 2014. While there are an adequate number of female spawners in the lake, the last couple year classes have been below desired levels so a stocking according to management plan actions items is going to be undertaken. These fish will be marked before stocking so Minnesota DNR staff can determine the amount of contribution stocked fish have to the walleye fishery in the lake versus natural reproduction. As of March 2021, sunfish and black crappie reduced daily limits on Leech Lake were implemented. Specifically, anglers can harvest five sunfish and five crappie daily; statewide possession limits of 20 sunfish and 10 crappie remain unchanged. The purpose of the reduced bag limits is to ensure the high size quality of panfish in Leech Lake is maintained. Anglers often target panfish in the shallower bays of the lake. Northern pike catch rates were up slightly from the previous year but have remained consistent. Catch rates have historically ranged from four to six fish per net in the Minnesota DNR fall sample. Northern pike on Leech Lake fall under the North Central Zone regulation which includes a ten fish bag limit with not more than two fish over 26 inches and all from 22 to 26 inches must be immediately released. Yellow perch have rebounded from recent lows and are just below management objectives, but larger fish remain present and many anglers reported successful fishing this past winter. Perch in the sample ranged from 3 to 13 inches with a strong year class of fish produced in 2023. If these fish persist it could mean very strong perch fishing in the coming years. Anglers are targeting bass on Leech Lake with an increased interest in the smallmouth fishing especially. Main lake rock reefs and humps are areas anglers look for smallmouth with largemouth being found most often in the shallower bays along with panfish. This summer Leech Lake will host numerous bass tournaments including a national open tournament in August. Muskellunge fishing is also popular with the chance for a trophy fish on Leech Lake. Leech Lake is the genetic source for all muskellunge stocking in Minnesota and fish over 50 inches are caught every year. A continued focus on Leech Lake is the impact zebra mussels will have in the future. Immature zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, were found in 2016 and adults were reported throughout the lake by fall 2021. There are currently no known methods to control or reduce numbers of zebra mussels once they are found in natural systems. Starry stonewort, which is an invasive algae, was found in Steamboat Bay during 2021. Aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and starry stonewort are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. Other invasive species in Leech Lake include Eurasian water milfoil, rusty crayfish and curly-leaf pondweed. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.