The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently seeking public comment on a number of initiatives that would affect the state’s coldwater fisheries. Below are three opportunities for public participation. 

Winter trout season

The DNR is seeking public comment on the winter season for trout angling in lakes. This includes native lake trout in inland lakes, as well as all stream trout (brook, rainbow, splake or brown).

For most trout lakes the season begins the Saturday closest to January 15 and ends on March 31. The exact date is printed in the annual regulations booklet, posted on the DNR website and published in seasonal news releases. The 2026 booklet, for example, lists January 17, 2026 and January 16, 2027 as winter season start dates.  Very straightforward, but the DNR thinks there is confusion surrounding start dates. For lakes entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), the season starts Jan. 1.   

Minnesota Trout Unlimited believes fishing seasons and regulations should ensure quality angling opportunities persist. The DNR is signaling it wants the same season for every trout species in every lake. The DNR has also signaled it wants to do away with special regulations on any trout lake. We urge the DNR to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation to ensure lakes are not negatively impacted by harvest and there are opportunities for higher quality angling on some lakes.  

If the DNR desires a uniform winter season for every trout lake, we recommend shortening the winter trout season on BWCAW lakes to match the shorter season outside the BWCAW in order to reduce harvest of stressed native lake trout. If the DNR believes anglers don’t read the regulations booklet and “the Saturday closest to January 15” is known and in fact causing confusion, then the season start should be Jan. 15.

How to comment

The public can share input online via a short questionnaire. Comments can also be emailed to DNR fisheries research scientist Beth Holbrook at beth.holbrook@state.mn.us. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2027. 

Fishing changes proposed to Grand Marais Harbor 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is also seeking public comment on a proposal to close Grand Marais Harbor to fishing in the fall during critical spawning time for brook trout.

Although brook trout season is closed when they are congregating in the harbor, anglers fishing for other species may be impacting the population, according to the DNR. The proposed closure would be limited to the critical spawning season for brook trout. Others believe the impacts to brook trout are minimal and outweighed by the increased support for broader coaster restoration activities that a few shared photos will generate.  

How to comment

If you feel strongly about this proposed rule change, you can share your opinion via a questionnaire. The survey is open until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. 

Comment on state wildlife and aquatic management areas 

The DNR is seeking public input during a planning effort to create a statewide management framework for Minnesota’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) and aquatic management areas (AMAs) across the state’s four ecological regions.

The feedback gathered during the current public scoping period will be used to draft plans for the four ecological regions, according to the DNR’s news release. Those plans will then be available for additional public review and comment. 

The DNR manages 1,500 WMAs and 700 AMAs. 

How to comment

The current public comment period is open through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Participate through the online questionnaires or email your comments to DNR fish and wildlife policy and planning supervisor, Jason Ko at jason.ko@state.mn.us.