If you look at a color map of Minnesota, you will notice a lot of blue. That color signifies bodies of water and you quickly understand why Minnesota's nickname is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." One of the ways people use the lakes of Minnesota if for fishing. Anglers can find good fishing across the state.
Significance
Anglers have a lot of choices when it comes to fishing in Minnesota. According to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the state includes 3.8 million acres of fishing waters and 5,493 lakes with populations of fish that anglers can target. The lakes of the state are popular places to be, especially during the summer, and many of those boaters are fishing. Minnesota sells more fishing licenses per capita than any other state in the United States, according to the DNR.
Size
Fishing lakes vary in size. Some of the largest, best-known bodies of water--like Leech Lake, Mille Lacs Lake and Lake of the Woods--span hundreds of thousands of acres and can handle even the heaviest fishing pressure. There are thousands of smaller lakes that are less well-known, but they can hold good fish populations, too. However, smaller lakes are more susceptible to fishing pressure. At the worst, too much fishing pressure can harm fish populations. It also can cause fish to feed more at night.
Differences
The landscape in Minnesota is varied, and the lakes reflect it. Lakes in the forested, northeast part of the state tend to be deeper and cooler with clear water. They also have primarily rocky, hard bottoms, rather than vegetated bottoms. In these lakes, the dominant species are smallmouth bass, trout and walleyes. At the other end of the spectrum are lakes in the southern part of the state, which is primarily flat, agricultural land. These waters tend to be shallow, fertile and warm, and hold sunfish, crappies, bass and walleyes. The lakes in the central part of the state are a mix of the north and the south. They are shallower and more fertile than northern lakes, but not as shallow and fertile as southern lakes. They tend to be the most-productive fishing lakes in the state for a wide variety of fish species.
Lakes
Despite thousands of lakes in the state, some consistently provide good, year-round fishing. Lake of the Woods is the largest, and is a destination for walleye, muskie and smallmouth bass fishermen. Leech Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion and Upper Red provide good walleye fishing, while notable muskie waters include Lake Mille Lacs and Minnetonka. Most lakes, including those noted, also provide good fishing for sunfish and crappies. All told, the state's lakes are home to 158 different fish species, according to the DNR.
Fishing Regulations
No matter which lake you are fishing on in Minnesota, you must have a fishing license and follow state regulations governing the harvest of fish. A set of statewide regulations sets limits on the number of fish you can keep each day, but there are some lakes that have special regulations. For a list of regulations and special regulations, check the Minnesota Fishing Regulations book.
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