March is the month to connect with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fisheries offices across the state. The agency is updating fisheries management plans for 197 lakes in 52 counties in 2026, and is inviting Minnesotans to reach out and share their input.
The DNR encourages people with thoughts on the future management of a lake with a scheduled plan update to call or email the area fisheries office for that water body before March 31. Area fisheries teams will consider the public’s observations and comments as they develop updates for each management plan.
“We’re inviting anyone interested in the health and quality of Minnesota’s fisheries to contact us during this critical part of the DNR’s fisheries lake management planning process,” said Ryan Maki, fisheries management consultant. “These plans establish fisheries management goals and objectives for each lake and define the work fisheries biologists do each year. Observations and input from a lake’s stakeholders are essential to the planning effort.”
A list of lakes scheduled for plan updates in 2026 is on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/lakemanagement). Fisheries management plans for Minnesota’s 10 largest lakes (mndnr.gov/ top10lakes) follow a similar but separate update process. As people consider what input to share, they might want to consider: “What kind of fishing experience am I looking for?”
“Are there fish habitat concerns I’d like to share?”
“What kinds of fish do I like to catch?”
“Do I like catching big fish or a lot of fish?”
“Do I have concerns about the fishery’s draw or popularity among anglers or other social concerns?”
The DNR is also interested in comments from organizations or their representatives, including outdoors groups, conservations organizations, lake associations and local units of government.
Based on initial comments received and other considerations, area fisheries managers might request additional public feedback later in summer or fall before completing the update to a particular plan. The DNR will publicize opportunities for additional engagement regionally and post them on the DNR website (mndnr. gov/lakemanagement). The webpage also includes general information about why and how the DNR develops and uses fisheries management plans for Minnesota’s 4,500 actively managed lakes.
The lakes, listed by county, scheduled for management plan updates in 2026 include: Lake: Ahsub, Conchu, Crooked Lake, Dan, Disappointment, Glacier Pond 1, Glacier Pond 2, Hare, Little Wilson, Ninemile, Wye St. Louis: Ban, Big Moose, Birch, Chant, Chub, Colby, Cub, Eagles Nest 1, Eagles Nest 2, Eagles Nest 3, Foss, Johnson, Jorgens, Joseph, Lower Pauness, Marion, Moose, Norberg, Oslo, St. Mary’s, Susan, Upper Pauness
