Daily limit
Catch-and-release only
Season
Mar. 1 – May 22, 2026
Size ruleNo keeping
MN · Largemouth bass
Minnesota runs a catch-and-release period at the start of the year for bass, then opens harvest. Across most of the state harvest starts May 23 with a combined limit of six largemouth or smallmouth bass; the Northeast Zone opens two weeks earlier on May 9.
Verified 2026-10-23Limits at a glance
Regulation period: March 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027.
Daily limit
6 largemouth and smallmouth combined (smallmouth only while its season is open)
Season
May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Size ruleNo statewide minimum is printed in this table
Daily limit
Catch-and-release only
Season
Mar. 1 – May 8, 2026
Size ruleNo keeping
Daily limit
6 largemouth and smallmouth combined
Season
May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Size ruleNo statewide minimum is printed in this table
Watch for
- Hundreds of lakes have special bass rules (protected slots, catch-and-release only). Look up your lake in the DNR lake finder.
- Smallmouth have their own season end (catch-and-release returns Sept. 14, 2026).
- Conservation licenses carry smaller limits than the standard angling license.
Quick answers
What is the daily limit for largemouth bass in Minnesota?
Statewide (Southern and North-central zones), inland waters: Catch-and-release only. Size rule: No keeping. Other waters and date windows have different rules; see the table. Verify with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Which regulations do these Minnesota figures come from?
March 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027, as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Last verified 2026-10-23.
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