Fishing Regulations · 2026 season
Mays Lake Fishing Regulations
Mays Lake follows Minnesota statewide fishing regulations — no lake-specific special rules in DNR records.
Mays Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Washington County. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
A TSI near 44 places Mays Lake in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. A maximum depth of 25 ft puts Mays Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. The lake is compact at 40 acres, with 1.8 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Among the 83 graded lakes in Washington County, Mays Lake ranks 11 — in the top quartile locally.
Full water-quality breakdown: Mays Lake water-quality report.
Minnesota Statewide Regulations
These apply to Mays Lake (no lake-specific overrides found).
- Walleye
Statewide bag limit: 6 walleye, only 1 over 20 inches. Possession limit 6 (varies on border waters). Open season typically May 9 — Feb 28.
- Sauger
Statewide bag limit: 6 sauger or walleye-sauger combined. Open season typically May 9 — Feb 28.
- Northern Pike
Statewide three-zone northern pike regs: north zone (10 fish, all sizes); central (2 fish 22–26", plus 8 under 22"); south (2 fish over 24"). See MN DNR for zone map.
- Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass
Statewide bag limit: 6 in combination. Catch-and-release only in late season for some lakes; harvest typically opens late May. Some lakes have special slot or season rules.
- Muskellunge
Statewide minimum 54 inches, daily limit 1. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged due to high mercury and slow growth.
- Lake Trout · Brook Trout · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Splake
Stream trout limit 5 per day; lake trout limit varies by lake (often 2). Designated Trout Lakes have special regulations and require trout stamp.
- Sunfish · Bluegill · Crappie · Yellow Perch
Statewide combined bag limit: 20 sunfish, 10 crappies, 20 yellow perch (some lakes have reduced panfish limits to protect quality).
Always Verify with the Official Source
Fishing regulations change annually. Before you fish Mays Lake, check the official Minnesota DNRfor the most current rules — including border-water exceptions, emergency closures, and 2026 season dates.
Official MN DNR LakeFinder →Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special fishing regulations on Mays Lake?
Mays Lake appears to follow Minnesota statewide fishing regulations — DNR records do not show lake-specific special rules. Always confirm with current DNR regulations before fishing, since rules can change annually.
What is the walleye limit on Mays Lake?
Statewide MN walleye limit: 6 fish, only 1 over 20 inches. Open season May 9 — Feb 28. Mays Lake appears to follow this statewide rule.
When does the Minnesota fishing season open at Mays Lake?
Minnesota's general fishing opener for walleye, northern pike, and lake trout falls on the Saturday closest to May 12 each year — for 2026, that's typically the second weekend of May. Bass season opens later (late May for catch-and-release, mid-June for harvest in many lakes). Panfish are open year-round on most waters.
Do I need a fishing license at Mays Lake?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a current Minnesota fishing license to fish Mays Lake. Some species require additional stamps (trout, salmon, musky in WI). Buy online at the MN DNR website or at any authorized retailer.
Related
Regulations sourced from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (DOW 82003300), 2026 season. Last updated: 2026-07-06. This site is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm rules with the official DNR before fishing.