Fishing Regulations · 2026 season
Sagamore Mine Lake Fishing Regulations
Sagamore Mine Lake follows Minnesota statewide fishing regulations — no lake-specific special rules in DNR records.
On the LakeGrade rubric, Sagamore Mine Lake pulls an A: clarity at 23.8 ft and phosphorus readings still being added put it in the top bracket for Minnesota. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. At 210 ft of maximum depth, Sagamore Mine Lake stratifies reliably through the summer — the hypolimnion stays cooler and clearer than the surface layer suggests. Sagamore Mine Lake covers 119 acres alongside 3.3 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 123 graded lakes in Crow Wing County, Sagamore Mine Lake sits at rank 46, above the county median.
Full water-quality breakdown: Sagamore Mine Lake water-quality report.
Minnesota Statewide Regulations
These apply to Sagamore Mine 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 Sagamore Mine 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 Sagamore Mine Lake?
Sagamore Mine 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 Sagamore Mine Lake?
Statewide MN walleye limit: 6 fish, only 1 over 20 inches. Open season May 9 — Feb 28. Sagamore Mine Lake appears to follow this statewide rule.
When does the Minnesota fishing season open at Sagamore Mine 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 Sagamore Mine Lake?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a current Minnesota fishing license to fish Sagamore Mine 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 18052300), 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.