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Minnesota State Record Fish (2026)

All verified Minnesota record fish from the Minnesota DNR. The heaviest is the Lake Sturgeon at 94 lb 4 oz, caught in 1994 on Kettle River. The oldest standing record is the Northern Pike from 1929.

Heaviest
Lake Sturgeon
94 lb 4 oz · 1994
Oldest record
Northern Pike
1929 · Basswood Lake
Most recent record
Largemouth Bass
2005 · Auburn Lake

All Minnesota Records

SpeciesWeightLengthYearWaterCountyAngler
Walleye17 lb 8 oz35.8 in1979Seagull RiverCookLeRoy Chiovitte
Northern Pike45 lb 12 oz1929Basswood LakeLakeJ.V. Schanken
Muskellunge54 lb56 in1957Lake WinnibigoshishCassArt Lyons
Largemouth Bass8 lb 15 oz23.5 in2005Auburn LakeCarverMark Raveling
Smallmouth Bass8 lb1948West Battle LakeOtter TailJohn Creighton
Lake Trout43 lb 8 oz1955Lake SuperiorCookDonald Roggenkamp
Brown Trout16 lb 12 oz1989Lake SuperiorSt. LouisJerry Anderson
Rainbow Trout17 lb 6 oz1980Knife RiverLakeOrtwin Krause
Brook Trout6 lb 5.6 oz23 in2004Lake Superior tributaryCookHuel Anderson
Channel Catfish38 lb1975Mississippi RiverHennepinDonovan Pohlson
Flathead Catfish70 lb1970St. Croix RiverWashingtonMike Manley
Black Crappie5 lb21 in1940Vermilion RiverDakotaTom Christenson
Bluegill2 lb 13 oz1948Alice LakeHubbardAllen W. Tetrault
Yellow Perch3 lb 4 oz1945Lake PlantaganetteHubbardCarl Melin
Lake Sturgeon94 lb 4 oz70 in1994Kettle RiverPineJames DeOtis
Tiger Muskie34 lb 12 oz1999Lake ElmoWashingtonAnthony Stieg

How Minnesota Records Are Verified

Minnesota DNR requires that record-eligible fish be weighed on a certified scale, photographed, and verified by a fisheries biologist. Catch-and-release length records are accepted for some species. Submit a record application within 30 days of the catch.

Targeting a record? Many of these fish came from waters with strong populations of trophy-class fish — see the best fishing lakes ranking and Minnesota lake directory.

Records compiled from the official Minnesota DNR angling records. Updated 2026. New records are submitted year-round; check the source page for the most recent verified entries. LakeQuality is independent and not affiliated with the Minnesota DNR.