UTERMinnesota fishing
What's biting in Minnesota in November: northern pike, brown trout, lake whitefish and muskellunge at their peak, with Coho (silver) salmon, lake trout and walleye around too, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. It follows Minnesota fishing across 2 waters, with 21 fish-by-water guides for 17 fish.
Updated
What's biting in Minnesota in November
From the season calendar, best firstPeakSpawningSpawningPeakPeakPeakLeavingAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAroundAround
Northern pike
Lake Superior · Minnesota freshwater
Brown trout
Minnesota freshwater
Lake whitefish
Lake Superior
Muskellunge
Minnesota freshwater
Rainbow trout
Minnesota freshwater
Steelhead
Lake Superior
Coho (silver) salmon
Lake Superior
Lake trout
Lake Superior · Minnesota freshwater
Walleye
Lake Superior · Minnesota freshwater
Yellow perch
Lake Superior · Minnesota freshwater
Black crappie
Minnesota freshwater
Brook trout
Minnesota freshwater
Brown bullhead
Minnesota freshwater
Burbot
Minnesota freshwater
Channel catfish
Minnesota freshwater
Where to fish in Minnesota
2 watersDuluth to the Soo — Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Lake Superior
November: Late steelhead before the rivers freeze
Fished from Duluth, Grand Marais, Bayfield, Ashland, Marquette, Munising.
1,492 charted public spots across the whole water — 901 lake, 342 boat ramp, 78 jetty / groin. Open the map in the app to see them.
Chinook (king) salmonCoho (silver) salmonLake troutLake whitefishNorthern pikeSmallmouth bassSteelheadWalleyeYellow perch
Lake Superior, month by monthMille Lacs to Lake of the Woods
Minnesota freshwater
November: Freeze-up
Fished from Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake Vermilion, Rainy River.
Black crappieBluegillBurbotChannel catfishLake sturgeonLargemouth bassMuskellungeNorthern pikeSaugerSmallmouth bassWalleyeYellow perch
Minnesota freshwater, month by monthRules and licence
Size and bag limits and seasons in Minnesota are set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR) and change — read the current rule before you keep a fish.
Statewide rules today
Minnesota DNR, where no local rule appliesopen (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 10 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 20 per person
closed today (Statewide, fresh water, through Feb 28) · Only 1 over 16" when open · 5 per person · trout/salmon stamp validation (ages 18–64) on designated trout waters, lake superior, or to possess trout
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 100 per person
closed today (Statewide, fresh water, through Feb 28) · Only 1 over 16" when open · 5 per person · trout/salmon stamp validation (ages 18–64) on designated trout waters, lake superior, or to possess trout
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 4 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · Only 1 over 24" · 5 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · Only 1 over 24" · 2 per person · closes Dec 1
catch and release only (Statewide, fresh water)
closed today (Statewide, fresh water, until Jan 16) · no minimum size when open · 2 per person · trout/salmon stamp validation (ages 18–64) on designated trout waters, lake superior, or to possess trout
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 6 per person · changes Mar 1
open (Statewide, fresh water) · 54" TL minimum · 1 per person · closes Dec 1
closed today (Statewide, fresh water, through Feb 28) · Only 1 over 16" when open · 5 per person · trout/salmon stamp validation (ages 18–64) on designated trout waters, lake superior, or to possess trout
open (Statewide, fresh water) · Only 1 walleye over 20" in possession · 6 per person · changes Mar 1
closed today (Statewide, fresh water, through Feb 28) · no minimum size when open · 6 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · Only 1 walleye over 20" in possession · 6 per person · changes Mar 1
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 30 per person
open (Statewide, fresh water) · no minimum size · 20 per person
As of 8 November 2026. Source Minnesota DNR, checked 5 November 2026 · For education only — rules change. Always confirm with Minnesota DNR before you keep a fish.
From the blog
All postsMichigan Fishing Regulations: How the Rules Work (2026–27)Michigan fishing regulations explained: the license year, Upper vs Lower Peninsula seasons, Great Lakes zones, muskie registration and where to check limits.Minnesota Fishing Regulations: How the Rules Work (2026–27)Minnesota fishing regulations explained: pike zones, protected slots, Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, sturgeon seasons and where to check limits.Wisconsin Fishing Regulations: How the Rules Work (2026–27)Wisconsin fishing regulations explained: Hwy 10 pike zones, Ceded Territory walleye, Lake Michigan and Superior rules, trout stamps and where to check limits.
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