DNR Rulemaking: Native Rough Fish Limits
What is this rule about?
The Minesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing a rule change that would set daily and possession limits for native rough fish.
Why am I receiving this notification?
You subscribed to one or more of the following notification lists: Fishing Regulations, Minnesota Fishing, Spearing/Bowfishing Rules, Sportfishing Rules, and Underutilized/Rough Fish Rules and Management. Subscribing to this list means you will receive DNR rulemaking notices on all topics. See the links below this message to manage your subscription.
What will this rulemaking do?
The proposed rule would amend Minnesota’s regulations on native rough fish populations and all methods of taking native rough fish in inland waters of the state.
- Sets daily and possession limits for native rough fish that are separate from the limits for carp and smelt.
- Amend the bowfin daily and possession limit from unlimited to 6 in inland waters.
- Amend the bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo daily and possession limit from unlimited to 5 in aggregate in a northern zone and 30 in aggregate in a southern zone in inland waters.
- Amend the sucker and redhorse daily and possession limit from unlimited to 30 in aggregate in inland waters.
- Amend the carpsucker and quillback daily and possession limit from unlimited to 30 in aggregate in inland waters.
- Amend the freshwater drum daily and possession limit from unlimited to 30 in inland waters.
- Amend the mooneye and goldeye daily and possession limit from unlimited to 30 in aggregate in inland waters.
Who might be affected by these rule changes?
- Individuals who take native rough fish in inland waters of Minnesota.
- Fishing and conservation groups concerned about native rough fish management.
- Individuals or groups with whom native rough fish may have cultural significance.
Where do I send my comments?
You have until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, to submit your comments. Email comments must be submitted to [email protected]. Please mention “Native Rough Fish Limits” in the subject line or body of your correspondence. Comments provided in writing by mail or by telephone may be submitted to the DNR contact person listed below.
You may request a hearing on these rules. If at least 50 persons submit a valid request for a hearing and a sufficient number do not withdraw their requests (reducing the number below 50), then a public hearing will be held before an administrative law judge. The Notice of Intent to Adopt Expedited Rules tells you how to submit a request for hearing to the DNR contact person.
Public data. All public comments received by the DNR and all information within the comments are public data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.03, subdivision 1. Public comments, including names and addresses, become part of the public record upon receipt by the DNR.
Where can I get more information?
More information is available at Native Rough Fish Limits | Minnesota DNR; also see the document links below:
If you want a free copy of the proposed rules, call or email the DNR contact person listed below:
DNR contact person
John Dunn, Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Fish and Wildlife Division
500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 259-5235
[email protected]
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