For nonresident trout enthusiasts like me, Minnesota trout stamps can be confusing. We may be looking at spending the $10, but http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/license_detail.html?id=24 says that they're only necessary for fishing designated trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior and when in possession of trout or salmon.

If you're looking for a list of MN water that contains trout, there's one at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_lakes/list.html.

If you're looking for the ones specifically classified as "trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior," there's a list at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6264.0050. The lake classified as Lake Superior is presumably listed elsewhere.

My read is that if you're just going catch and release, a stamp is only needed for designated water. Taking one back to cook up, however, requires the stamp on any water.

Minnesotans or trout experts, please jump in if any corrections are needed.

There is a magnificent fight about trout stamps on the BWCA.com boards. I can't find anywhere in the regs that lakers are excepted, but Tuscarora Outfitters sure recommends it.

Originally Posted by: AmateurHour

For nonresident trout enthusiasts like me, Minnesota trout stamps can be confusing. We may be looking at spending the $10, but http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/license_detail.html?id=24 says that they're only necessary for fishing designated trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior and when in possession of trout or salmon..

To me the details are clear from the DNR "they're only necessary for fishing designated trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior and when in possession of trout or salmon". The last and is the important part of this sentence. I'm about 99% sure that you can fish on a lake or stream that contains trout without a trout stamp as long as you don't have a trout on the end of your stringer..

Now with this being said, if it's the middle of July and you are on Kekekabic lake fishing at 100 ft of depth and a DNR official paddles up and notices your fishing style, they might still give you a ticket as you are targetting catching Lake Trout as your intended species of fish. However, if it is late May and you are casting for Walleyes on Knife Lake and happen to catch a Laker, and practice catch and release, I can't imagine there would be a penalty for such a behavior (I'd certainly take that one to court based on the wording of the regulation). In Wisconsin, it's no different fishing for Lake Sturgeon on Lake Winnebago. You can only fish them in Winter with a permit, but if you happen to snag one in the Summer and practice catch and release... you are fine.

Either way to me a fresh Lake Trout meal is just too tasty to pass up so I've always bought the trout stamp when heading up the BW as it's only an additional 10 bucks. 

Originally Posted by: matt13

Originally Posted by: AmateurHour

For nonresident trout enthusiasts like me, Minnesota trout stamps can be confusing. We may be looking at spending the $10, but http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/license_detail.html?id=24 says that they're only necessary for fishing designated trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior and when in possession of trout or salmon..

To me the details are clear from the DNR "they're only necessary for fishing designated trout streams, trout lakes and Lake Superior and when in possession of trout or salmon". The last and is the important part of this sentence. I'm about 99% sure that you can fish on a lake or stream that contains trout without a trout stamp as long as you don't have a trout on the end of your stringer..

Now with this being said, if it's the middle of July and you are on Kekekabic lake fishing at 100 ft of depth and a DNR official paddles up and notices your fishing style, they might still give you a ticket as you are targetting catching Lake Trout as your intended species of fish. However, if it is late May and you are casting for Walleyes on Knife Lake and happen to catch a Laker, and practice catch and release, I can't imagine there would be a penalty for such a behavior (I'd certainly take that one to court based on the wording of the regulation). In Wisconsin, it's no different fishing for Lake Sturgeon on Lake Winnebago. You can only fish them in Winter with a permit, but if you happen to snag one in the Summer and practice catch and release... you are fine.

Either way to me a fresh Lake Trout meal is just too tasty to pass up so I've always bought the trout stamp when heading up the BW as it's only an additional 10 bucks. 

This concisely sums up my understanding of the regulation as well.  Brook & lake trout are favorites to catch while in the BWCAW, so we always get the stamp.  Point being - it should never be an issue for us.