Pay lakes in Minnesota

It depends. At a licensed aquatic farm you need the operator's written permission, and then either an invoice/receipt for fish you keep or a regular angling license.

Minnesota licenses pay lakes through its Aquatic Farm License (formerly private fish hatchery license), Minn. Stat. 17.4981-17.4988, run by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.

"Subd. 7. Angling in licensed waters. A person may not take fish by angling from waters subject to subdivision 6 unless the person has written permission from the licensee and: (1) has an invoice when in possession of fish; or (2) takes fish under an angling license, subject to the limits and conditions in the game and fish laws."

Source: Minn. Stat. 17.4983 Aquatic farm waters, checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.