Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6266 - BOUNDARY WATERS FISHING REGULATIONS
Part 6266.0700 - TAKING FISH ON MINNESOTA-CANADA BOUNDARY WATERS

Universal Citation: MN Rules 6266.0700

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024

Subpart 1. Specified waters.

The provisions of this part apply to those portions of the following named Minnesota-Canada boundary waters:

A. Basswood Lake (except Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist and Back Bays), T.64, R.9, 10; T.65, R.9, 10, Lake County;

B. Basswood River, T.65, R.10, 11, Lake County;

C. Birch Lake, T.64, R.8, 9; T.65, R.8, 9, Lake County;

D. Bottle Lake, T.67, R.13, St. Louis County;

E. Carp Lake, T.65, R.8, Lake County;

F. Clove Lake, T.65, R.4W, Cook County;

G. Crooked Lake, T.66, R.11, 12, Lake and St. Louis Counties;

H. Cypress Lake, T.66, R.6, Lake County;

I. Devil's Elbow, T.66, R.4W, Cook County;

J. Gneiss Lake, T.66, R.4W, Cook County;

K. Granite Lake, T.65, 66, R.4W, Cook County;

L. Granite River, T.66, R.4W, Cook County;

M. Gunflint Lake, T.65, R.2, 3, 4W, Cook County;

N. Iron Lake, T.66, R.12, 13; T.67, R.13, St. Louis County;

O. Knife Lake (except South Arm of Knife Lake), T.64, R.8; T.65, R.6, 7, 8; T.66, R.6, Lake County;

P. Knife River, T.65, R.8, Lake County;

Q. Lac La Croix Lake, T.67, R.13, 14, 15; T.68, R.13, 14, 15; T.66, R.13, St. Louis County;

R. Lake of the Woods, Lake of the Woods and Roseau Counties, including the following tributaries:
(1) Warroad River, T.163, R.36, S.28, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(2) Swift Ditch, T.162, R.35, S.6, mouth upstream to the County Road 12 culvert; and

(3) Bostic Creek, T.162, R.32, S.21, mouth upstream to the County Road 8 bridge;

S. Lily Lakes, T.65, R.2E, Cook County;

T. Little Gunflint Lake, T.65, R.2W, Cook County;

U. Little Knife Lake, T.65, R.6, 7; T.66, R.6, Lake County;

V. Little North Lake, T.65, R.2W, Cook County;

W. Little Vermillion Lake, T.67, R.16, St. Louis County;

X. Loon Lake, T.66, 67, R.15, St. Louis County;

Y. Loon River, T.66, R.15, 16; T.67, R.15, 16, St. Louis County;

Z. Magnetic Lake, T.65, R.3, 4W, Cook County;

AA. Maraboeuf Lake, T.66, R.4W, Cook County;

BB. Melon Lake, T.65, R.8, Lake County;

CC. Moose Lake, T.65, R.3E, Cook County;

DD. Mountain Lake, T.65, R.1, 2E, Cook County;

EE. Namakan Lake, T.68, R.17, 18; T.69, R.17, 18, 19, St. Louis County;

FF. North Fowl Lake, T.65, R.3E, Cook County;

GG. North Lake, T.65, R.2W, Cook County;

HH. Pigeon River, T.64, R.3, 4, 5, 6, 7E, Cook County;

II. Pine River, T.65, R.3, 4W, Cook County;

JJ. Rainy Lake (including Black Bay), T.69, R.18, 19; T.70, R.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, T.71, R.20, 21, 22, 23, 24, Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties;

KK. Rainy River, T.70-71 and T.158-162, R.24-32, Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties, including the following tributaries:
(1) Winter Road River, T.161, R.31, S.20, mouth upstream to the State Highway 172 bridge;

(2) Baudette River, T.161, R.31, S.2, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(3) Rapid River, T.160, R.30, S.12, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(4) Black River, T.158, R.25, S.11-12, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(5) Big Fork River, T.70, R.26, S.32, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(6) Little Fork River, T.70, R.25, S.29, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge;

(7) Kelly Creek, T.161, R.31, S.28, mouth upstream to the State Highway 172 bridge;

(8) Silver Creek, T.160, R.30, S.10, mouth upstream to the State Highway 11 bridge; and

(9) Wabinica Creek, T.161, R.32, S.12, mouth upstream to the State Highway 172 bridge;

LL. Rat Lake, T.65, R.1W, Cook County;

MM. Rove Lake, T.65, R.1E, Cook County;

NN. Saganaga Lake, T.66, R.4, 5W; T.67, R.4, 5W, Cook County;

OO. Sand Point Lake, T.67, R.16, 17; T.68, R.16, 17; T.69, R.17, St. Louis County;

PP. Seed Lake, T.65, R.8, Lake County;

QQ. South Lake, T.65, R.1, 2W, Cook County;

RR. South Fowl Lake, T.64, 65, R.3E, Cook County;

SS. Sucker Lake, T.64, R.8, 9, Lake County;

TT. Swamp Lake, T.66, R.6, Lake County; and

UU. Watab Lake, T.65, R.1E, Cook County.

Subp. 2. Species, seasons, and limits on Minnesota-Canada boundary waters.

A. To the extent that chapter 6264 is inconsistent with this part, the provisions of chapter 6264 apply.

B. The following border waters and species are designated under chapter 6264:

Name Chapter 6264 Reference
(1) Lake sturgeon 6264.0400, subpart 32
(2) Lake of the Woods 6264.0400, subparts 33 and 55
(3) Rainy River 6264.0400, subparts 33 and 55
(4) Namakan Reservoir Lakes 6264.0300, subpart 56
(5) Basswood Lake 6264.0400, subpart 19
(6) Rainy Lake, including Rat Root Lake and River 6264.0300, subpart 32

C. Except as provided in chapter 6264, the following applies to the species, seasons, and limits for taking fish on Minnesota-Canada boundary waters. When the closing date of the season falls on a Saturday, the season extends to the following Sunday, except for the walleye and sauger season, which always ends on April 14 regardless of which day of the week it falls.

Species Open Season Daily and Possession Limits
(1) Walleye and sauger (a) All border waters not listed in unit (b) or (c) or in chapter 6264 Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to April 14. 6 in the aggregate, with only 1, with only 1 over 20 inches in possession.
(b) Rainy Lake, including Minnesota waters from the dam in International Falls to the dam in Kettle Falls and Black Bay, including Gold Portage and the upper portion of the Rainy River (Boise Cascade Dam upstream to Ranier) Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to April 14. 8 in the aggregate, of which not more than 4 may be walleye.
Rat Root River and Rat Root Lake Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the last Sunday in February. 8 in the aggregate, of which not more than 4 may be walleye.
(c) Saganaga Lake Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to April 14. 6 walleye, with only 1 walleye over 19.5 inches.
(2) Sturgeon An angler must have a special fish management tag to harvest sturgeon. All border waters not listed in subitem (1), unit (b) or (c), or in chapter 6264. June 16 to April 14 for catch and release only. Closed April 15 to June 15. When the closing date of a season falls on a Saturday, the season does not extend through the following Sunday.
(3) Lake trout In all bodies of water entirely or partly outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and exceptions from the Saturday nearest January 15 through March 15; lakes partly outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and exceptions include Saganaga Lake; in all bodies of water lying entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from January 1 through March 31, except when January 1 falls on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, then the opening day is the preceding Saturday (Saturday nearest January 1); and in all waters from the Saturday two weeks prior to Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through September 30. 2
(4) Trout (except lake trout) Saturday nearest May 1 through September 30. Same as listed in part 6262.0200.
(5) Northern pike
(a) For all waters not listed in unit Continuous. 3, with only 1 over 30 inches.
(b) or in chapter 6264
(b) Basswood Lake Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the last Sunday in February. 3
(6) Muskellunge (minimum size 50 inches total length) Third Saturday in June through November 30. 1
(7) Large and smallmouth bass No closed season. 6 in aggregate.
(8) Crappie No closed season. 10
(9) All other species No closed season. Same as listed in part 6262.0200.

Subp. 3. Number of lines allowed.

Only one line may be used to angle on Minnesota-Canada boundary waters, except two lines may be used while angling through the ice. Fish with length limits may not be possessed as fillets on the water while angling, except as provided in part 6262.0100, subpart 5, item D. Any fish that is hooked in any part of the body, except the mouth, must be immediately unhooked and returned to the water, whether dead or alive.

Subp. 4. Single limit requirement.

The provisions in items A and B apply to the limits for taking and possessing fish on Minnesota-Canada boundary waters.

A. While in this state, a person permitted to take and possess fish in this state and licensed by the Canadian province of Ontario or Manitoba may not possess fish taken from Minnesota-Canada boundary waters in excess of this state's limit.

B. While in this state, a person permitted to take and possess fish in this state and licensed by the Canadian province of Ontario or Manitoba may not possess fish taken from the inland waters of Ontario or Manitoba in excess of this state's limit unless the excess fish are accompanied by proof of taking from inland Canadian waters. When accompanied by such proof, one Canadian limit and one Minnesota limit may be possessed simultaneously. The following is considered sufficient proof for a period of seven days after date of issuance:
(1) Written verification issued by United States Customs of having entered the United States at a time consistent with the time of having taken fish in inland Canadian waters.

(2) A receipt from a resort, campground, or place of lodging located on inland Canadian waters issued at a time consistent with the time of having taken fish in inland Canadian waters.

Subp. 5. Shelter house deadline.

On Minnesota-Canada boundary waters, a dark house, fish house, or shelter may remain on the ice no later than March 31. Portable shelters may be used after March 31 only when occupied for angling.

Subp. 6. Equipment.

A person shall not possess or use a gaff while fishing on the Rainy River.

Statutory Authority: MS s 14.388; 97A.045; 97C.001; 97C.005; 97C.395; 97C.401

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Minnesota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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