Catfish Fishing Regulations in Minnesota: Seasons, Limits, and Where to Fish

Minnesota holds some of the best catfishing in the upper Midwest, and knowing the rules before you launch can mean the difference between a great day on the water and an unexpected citation. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds of the North Star State are home to 162 different species of fish, 141 of which are native to Minnesota. Among those species, catfish and bullhead rank as some of the most accessible and rewarding targets for anglers of all skill levels.

Whether you are chasing trophy flatheads on the St. Croix or dunking worms for bullheads in a small prairie pond, the catfish fishing regulations in Minnesota govern your season dates, bag limits, gear choices, and licensing. This guide walks you through everything you need to stay legal and fish smart under the 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations, which are effective from March 2026 through February 28, 2027.

Important Note: Regulations on specific water bodies can differ from statewide rules. Always verify the rules for the exact lake or river you plan to fish using the Minnesota DNR’s official regulations at dnr.state.mn.us before heading out.

Catfish Species Found in Minnesota

Minnesota has two catfish species — channel and flathead — and three bullhead species — black, brown, and yellow. These fish are found throughout the state but are most prevalent in warm, fertile rivers and lakes in western and southern Minnesota. Understanding which species you are targeting matters, because each one carries different regulations and behaviors.

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are exciting sport fish and tasty table fare that are becoming more and more popular with Minnesota anglers. They can be found in large and small rivers, lakes, and ponds. In Minnesota, channel catfish are common in the Minnesota River, Mississippi River, St. Croix River, and Red River of the North. Channel catfish can also be found in many inland lakes, especially in the southern half of the state.

The channel catfish is a comet-shaped fish with a forked tail, flat head, barbels (sometimes called whiskers), and smooth skin. Its mouth is wide and flat with bristle-like teeth. The scale-less body is silver-gray to black in color with scattered black spots on the back and sides, which disappear from larger, older fish. The state record channel catfish weighed 38 pounds and measured 44 inches, caught on the Mississippi River in Hennepin County.

Flathead Catfish

The flathead is the larger of Minnesota’s two true catfish species. The flathead catfish is the second largest fish in Minnesota waters, and the state record was 70 pounds, coming from the St. Croix River. You can tell a flathead from a channel cat by looking at the lower jaw and the tail — the flathead has a slightly protruding lower jaw, like an underbite, and its tail is square where the channel’s is forked.

While the flathead eats only live fish, including other flatheads, the channel cat thrives on hatchery pellets. This dietary difference directly affects which baits and rigs work best for each species. You can explore different types of catfish and their habits to sharpen your identification and targeting skills.

Bullhead Species

Five species are caught on hook and line in Minnesota: channel catfish, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, black bullhead, and flathead. The first four species are very closely related; the flathead is a more distant cousin.

All three species of bullhead are popular game in Minnesota prairie regions, where bullhead are plentiful and other species are scarce. These small catfish are easy to catch and require no sophisticated equipment. They are often caught below low-head dams, where all three species may congregate in dense writhing masses.

You can distinguish the yellow bullhead from its relatives by its whitish lower barbels, long anal fin, and rounded tail. The black bullhead is more tolerant of oxygen-poor water than any of its relatives and dominates in warm, eutrophic waters where other game fish are winter-killed. For a deeper look at the largest catfish ever recorded, check out our guide on the largest catfish in the world.

Pro Tip: All catfish and bullheads have a sharp spine at the leading edge of the dorsal fin and two pectoral fins. Grip the fish firmly behind the dorsal fin with your thumb on one side and index finger on the other to avoid accidental punctures.

Catfish Season Dates in Minnesota

One of the most angler-friendly aspects of catfishing in Minnesota is that most catfish species enjoy generous or year-round open seasons. However, channel catfish and flathead catfish follow different schedules, so it pays to know which species you are targeting before you rig up.

Species	Open Season (Inland Waters)	Notes
Channel Catfish	Continuous (year-round)	Open all 12 months on inland waters
Flathead Catfish	April 1 – November 30	Closed December through March
Bullhead (Black, Brown, Yellow)	Continuous (year-round)	Open all 12 months on inland waters

Channel catfish have a continuous season, while flathead catfish can be targeted from April 1 through November 30. This means you can target channel cats and bullheads through the ice in winter, making them a popular option during the colder months when many other species are closed or catch-and-release only.

Border waters follow separate regulations. On Iowa-Minnesota border waters, bullhead catfish have a continuous season with no limit, and channel catfish regulations are listed separately by water body. Always confirm the specific rules for any border river or lake you plan to fish, as they can differ substantially from inland statewide rules. If you fish Minnesota’s neighboring states, our guide to bass fishing regulations in Indiana and other state regulation articles can help you plan multi-state trips.

Key Insight: The 2026 Minnesota fishing license year runs from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027. Any license you purchase covers all open seasons within that period, including the continuous channel catfish and bullhead seasons.

Daily Bag Limits for Catfish in Minnesota

Minnesota separates channel catfish and flathead catfish into distinct limit categories, which is a relatively recent change designed to better manage each population. Bullhead limits are handled separately and are notably generous.

Species	Daily Bag Limit	Size Restriction
Channel Catfish	5 fish	Only 1 fish over 24 inches
Flathead Catfish	2 fish	Only 1 fish over 24 inches
Bullhead (all species combined)	No statewide limit (inland)	No minimum size limit

Channel catfish have a continuous season with a 5-fish limit (only one over 24 inches), while flathead catfish can be targeted from April 1 through November 30 with a 2-fish limit (only one over 24 inches). The stricter flathead limit reflects the species’ slower growth rate and the management goal of protecting larger, older fish in the population.

Flathead catfish carry a limit of two fish per angler, while channel catfish carry a limit of five fish per angler. These separate limits replaced an older combined category, giving managers more precise tools to protect flathead populations while still allowing generous channel cat harvests.

On certain border waters, limits may differ. On North Dakota-Minnesota border waters, bullhead catfish (black, brown, and yellow) have a continuous season with a limit of 100 fish. Always check the border water regulations table in the official DNR booklet before fishing any river that forms a state boundary. If you want to compare how neighboring states handle similar regulations, see our overview of bass fishing regulations in Ohio for context on Midwest regulatory approaches.

Common Mistake: Many anglers assume bullheads are completely unregulated. While inland statewide waters have no limit, specific border waters and special regulation lakes may impose limits on bullhead. Check the DNR regulations for your exact water body before keeping a large haul.

Size and Length Limits for Catfish in Minnesota

Minnesota does not set a minimum length limit for channel catfish, flathead catfish, or bullheads on most inland waters. However, the “only one over 24 inches” rule for both channel cats and flatheads functions as an effective slot-style restriction that protects the largest, most reproductively valuable fish in the population.

How the Over-24-Inch Rule Works

Under this rule, you may keep up to your daily bag limit of channel catfish or flathead catfish, but no more than one of those fish can exceed 24 inches in total length. In practical terms, if you catch two flatheads — one at 20 inches and one at 28 inches — you can keep both, but that 28-inch fish counts as your single over-24-inch fish for the day. If you then catch a third flathead at 26 inches, you must release it, because you have already reached your two-fish flathead limit and used your one over-24-inch slot.

This type of regulation rewards anglers who target numbers of mid-sized fish while still allowing an occasional trophy to be harvested. It is especially relevant on rivers like the St. Croix and Mississippi, where flatheads can grow well past 24 inches. Check out our article on different types of fishing rigs to learn which setups work best when targeting larger catfish.

Transportation Rules

While fishing or while on the water, trout, salmon, muskellunge, and catfish must be transported with head and tails intact. This rule makes it easier for conservation officers to verify species and measure total length accurately. If you clean your catch at the ramp or on the water before heading home, you may be in violation — keep catfish whole until you reach your destination.

Special Regulation Waters

Many popular lakes have their own experimental or special regulations that override the general rules. These can affect seasons, size limits, and bag limits for specific bodies of water. Use the DNR’s LakeFinder tool at mndnr.gov to look up the specific water you plan to fish before you go. If you also fish for bass in Minnesota, our guide to bass fishing regulations in Minnesota covers the 2026 rule changes in detail.

Legal Methods for Catching Catfish in Minnesota

Minnesota allows a variety of methods for catching catfish, from standard rod-and-reel angling to dark house spearing. Knowing what is permitted — and what is not — keeps you on the right side of the law and helps you choose the most effective approach for each situation.

Rod and Line Angling

Standard hook-and-line fishing is the most common and widely permitted method. Channel catfish eat crayfish, insects, snails, small clams, worms, fish, and the seeds of elm and silver maple trees. They primarily feed at night, which is the best time to catch them. Because catfish have an enhanced sense of taste and smell, they frequently find their food using these senses.

Effective baits for channel catfish include stink baits, cut bait, chicken liver, nightcrawlers, and crayfish. Like the flathead, the channel cat can feed in the dark or in murky water, finding food by smell, touch, or sensing vibration. It is much more likely than the flathead to feed on carrion or to take dead bait. On the other hand, it is also far more likely to strike a spinner, plug, or jig.

Flatheads are a different story. While the flathead eats only live fish, including other flatheads, the channel cat thrives on hatchery pellets. When targeting flatheads, live sunfish, bullheads, or large shiners are generally the most productive baits. Explore our overview of different types of fishing for a broader look at angling methods that apply across species.

Tackle and Gear Considerations

For catfish angling, heavier gear is typically recommended. Use 8–12 lb. line; fish riffles and shallows off bottom at night with stink baits, crayfish, worms, minnows, or cut bait. Fish pools or cover during the day or after a rain. For larger flatheads in rivers, many anglers step up to 20–50 lb. braided line with a strong circle hook to handle the current and the fish’s power. See our guide on different types of fishing rods and types of fishing reels to select the right setup for catfish.

Minnesota’s 2026 regulations introduced updated tackle configuration rules. Up to three hooks within 18 inches are allowed on one tackle configuration, and bait rule language clarifies that only one bait per line is permitted, with stinger hooks allowed only on artificial baits.

Dark House Spearing

Dark house spearing is allowed for northern pike, whitefish, and catfish. This method involves cutting a hole in the ice and using a spear to harvest fish visible below. A separate spearing license is required in addition to your standard angling license. A spearing license costs $6 for residents and $17 for nonresidents, and is required for dark house spearing for anglers ages 18–89 (resident) or 18 and older (nonresident).

Bowfishing

Bowfishing for catfish is permitted in Minnesota on certain waters during open seasons. Minnesota bowfishing, spearing, harpooning, and dip netting seasons and special regulations are detailed in the MN DNR’s official regulations booklet at dnr.state.mn.us. Always verify that bowfishing is permitted on the specific water body you intend to fish, as some designated trout lakes and streams carry restrictions on certain alternative harvest methods.

Pro Tip: Night fishing is almost always more productive for catfish than daytime angling. Channel cats especially ramp up their feeding activity after sunset, moving into shallower riffles and current breaks to hunt. Plan your trip to arrive at the water at dusk and fish through the first few hours of darkness for the best action.

Fishing License Requirements for Catfish in Minnesota

A valid Minnesota angling license is required to fish for catfish in the state, with limited exceptions. Getting licensed is straightforward, and the 2026 license year is already underway.

Who Needs a License

All Minnesota residents ages 16 through 89 must hold a current fishing license. Nonresidents of any age (except those under 16 fishing under a licensed parent or guardian) also need a license. Children under 16 are exempt from the license requirement when fishing under the supervision of a licensed adult.

License Validity and Purchase

The license year runs from March 1 through the last day of February. Licenses can be purchased online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense or at any of 1,400 license agent locations statewide. If you receive your license electronically via text or email, you can display that message to an enforcement officer — but a generic receipt page is not accepted as a valid license.

License Costs (2026–27 License Year)

The Minnesota DNR offers resident and nonresident licenses at different price points, along with short-term options for visitors. Nonresident annual and short-term options generally cost more, and fee structures differ by duration and family or couple options. For the most current fee table, visit the official DNR licensing page at mndnr.gov/buyalicense, as fees are set by the legislature and confirmed annually.

Additional Endorsements for Catfish Anglers

No special stamp or endorsement is required specifically for catfish fishing in Minnesota. Unlike trout and salmon, which require a trout/salmon stamp validation on designated waters, catfish on inland waters require only your base angling license. However, if you plan to use dark house spearing to harvest catfish, the separate spearing license described above applies.

Free Fishing Weekends

Minnesota offers three free fishing events each license year during which qualifying residents can fish without purchasing a license. No license is required during these events, but all other fishing regulations — seasons, limits, gear rules — still apply. For 2026, those events include Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (May 9–10), Take a Kid Fishing Weekend (June 5–7), and Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend (January 16–18, 2027).

If you also fish for other species in Minnesota, our guides to bass fishing season in Minnesota and trout fishing season in Minnesota cover the licensing requirements for those species as well.

Key Insight: Conservation Licenses are available to resident anglers and allow you to keep half the standard bag limits at a reduced cost. For catfish, this would mean a conservation limit of 2 channel catfish instead of 5. This option works well for anglers who fish occasionally and do not need the full daily limit.

Best Catfish Fishing Spots in Minnesota

Minnesota’s river systems are the backbone of the state’s catfish fishery. The largest and most productive catfish waters tend to be major rivers in the western, central, and southern parts of the state, though stocked urban ponds also provide accessible opportunities for newer anglers.

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River, flowing through the heart of the state, provides smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and muskie opportunities in both its headwaters and broader southern stretches. Urban river fishing near Minneapolis and St. Paul surprises many anglers with its quality and accessibility. The lower Mississippi from the Twin Cities south through Winona and La Crescent holds strong populations of both channel cats and flatheads, with deep pools, wing dams, and riprap providing ideal catfish habitat.

Minnesota River

Western and southern Minnesota’s warm, fertile rivers and lakes are the favorite haunts of the fork-tailed channel catfish. The Minnesota River runs through some of the most productive catfish country in the state, with warm, turbid water and a soft bottom that channel cats and bullheads thrive in. Towns like Mankato, New Ulm, and Granite Falls offer good access points along this river.

St. Croix River

The St. Croix River forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is one of the premier flathead catfish destinations in the upper Midwest. The Minnesota state record flathead catfish — 70 pounds — came from the St. Croix River in Washington County. Deep pools, log jams, and undercut banks along the St. Croix provide prime flathead habitat, particularly in the lower river south of Stillwater.

Red River of the North

In Minnesota, channel catfish are common in the Minnesota River, Mississippi River, St. Croix River, and Red River of the North. The Red River along the Minnesota-North Dakota border is a consistent producer of channel catfish, with the slow-moving, turbid water being ideal for catfish feeding. Note that this is a border water, so you will need to check both the Minnesota and North Dakota regulations that apply to your specific fishing location.

Urban Stocked Ponds

Metro-area ponds, including spots in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, are stocked with catchable-sized trout, catfish, and panfish. These accessible locations require no boat and often feature fishing piers, making them ideal for families and casual anglers. The DNR’s Urban Fishing Program provides a great entry point for new catfish anglers who want to practice technique before heading to larger rivers.

Low-Head Dams

Bullheads are often caught below low-head dams, where all three species may congregate in dense writhing masses. The same current breaks and oxygenated water that attract bullheads below dams also pull in channel catfish. Locations like the dams on the Cannon River, Zumbro River, and Cedar River are well-known catfish gathering spots, especially during summer evenings.

Location	Primary Species	Best Season
Mississippi River (Twin Cities to Winona)	Channel cat, Flathead	Late spring through fall
Minnesota River	Channel cat, Bullhead	Summer
St. Croix River	Flathead catfish	June through October
Red River of the North	Channel catfish	Summer through early fall
Urban stocked ponds (Twin Cities, Duluth)	Channel catfish, Bullhead	Spring through fall
Low-head dams (Cannon, Zumbro, Cedar rivers)	Bullhead, Channel cat	Summer evenings

For anglers who want to explore other fishing species and regulations in the region, our guides to bass fishing regulations in Virginia and fly fishing regulations in Michigan provide useful comparisons across neighboring states and angling styles.

Conclusion

Catfish fishing in Minnesota rewards anglers who take the time to understand the rules. Channel catfish are open year-round with a 5-fish daily limit, flatheads run from April 1 through November 30 with a tighter 2-fish limit, and bullheads are available year-round on most inland waters with no statewide bag limit. The “only one over 24 inches” rule for both channel cats and flatheads protects the largest fish in the population while still allowing a generous harvest of mid-sized fish.

Before every trip, check the official Minnesota DNR fishing regulations page for any updates, emergency orders, or special rules on your target water. Individual lakes and rivers can have special regulations that override the statewide defaults, which means you always need to check two things: the general rules and the specific rules for your water body. Stay current, fish legally, and enjoy some of the best catfishing the upper Midwest has to offer.