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Fishing

Image Caption
Fly fishing in the clear waters of Superior National Forest / Alyssa Hei
Image Caption
Fly fishing in the clear waters of Superior National Forest / Alyssa Hei

Catch a Whopper

Minnesota offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the country, from big lakes to scenic trout streams and the mighty Mississippi. Roaming these waters are large and smallmouth bass, trout, panfish, northern pike, muskies, walleye and more.

Your heart may skip a beat when one of those denizens of the deep strikes your lure. Hang on if you can. Half the fun is reeling them in, but the other half is telling the fish stories, even — maybe especially — if they get away. That goes for ice fishing, too!

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Pulling in a fish

The catch of the day on Lake Margaret, in the Brainerd Lakes Area / Paul Vincent

Big Water

Land of 10,000 Lakes

Take your pick from thousands of great fishing spots, from the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior, to the popular Gull Chain of Lakes (pictured). Beyond Minnesota's famous lakes, you'll find plenty of rivers and streams, too.

Lakes & Rivers
Ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, River Bend Resort

Ice fishing at River Bend Resort on Lake of the Woods  / Buffalo Media Group

A Winter Break

Ice Fishing Fever

Minnesota has some of the best ice fishing in North America, hands down. Take a crack at this beloved pastime that comes to life when the mercury dips below freezing. From family trips to festivals, ice fishing offers a dose of warmth and nostalgia.

Ice Fishing in MN
Man holds a giant Muski with golden late afternoon sunlight; closeup on the fish's face

Man holds a giant Muski with golden late afternoon sunlight

Big Fish

Catch the Big One

The list of state record fish is proof of Minnesota's trophy potential. Record-breaking catches include a 45-pound-12-ounce northern pike, a 54-pound muskie, a 43-pound-8-ounce lake trout and a 17-pound walleye.

Where to Catch Trophy-Sized Fish
 A man fly fishing in Root River, Spring Valley

Root River Fly Fishing, Spring Valley / Ryan Taylor

On the Fly

Fly Fishing Paradise

Cast a line for trout, bass, sunfish, bluegill, muskies and more. The state is full of fly fishing hot spots, whether you head to the shores of the St. Croix River, the waters of Superior National Forest (pictured) or a scenic trout stream.

Minnesota's Trout Streams
Fall fishing from a motorboat

Fall fishing along the Lake Country Scenic Byway near Park Rapids

Prime Time

Fall Fishing in Minnesota

With cooler weather, more active fish and a beautiful backdrop of changing leaves, fall is one of the best times of year to fish in Minnesota. Depending on the area and the size of the lake, walleye, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass and crappie are all biting.

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