It’s the latest sign of growing respect for native species of fish that were once thought to be undesirable “junk.”
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has proposed new catch limits for several species of native rough fish, for which state lawmakers granted new protections in 2024.
For more than a century, native rough fish like redhorse, bowfin and buffalo were lumped in with invasive species like common carp – and not considered worthy of protection or management.
In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature passed a new state law elevating the status of two dozen species by changing their definition from “rough fish” to “native rough fish.” That helped differentiate them from common carp, a destructive invasive species widespread throughout Minnesota.
Now, the DNR is proposing rules that would set catch limits for several native rough fish species, including bowfin, freshwater drum and buffalo, that previously didn't have any limits.
“We decided that we wanted to take a precautionary approach to making sure that we have some sustainability in these native rough fish populations going into the future,” said Shannon Fisher, manager of fisheries populations monitoring and regulations for the DNR.
Advocates of native rough fish say their ecological value has long been overlooked. Some are a food source for game fish or birds of prey. Some compete with or even eat invasive species, while others act as a host for native freshwater mussels.
There’s still a lot that scientists don’t know about native rough fish, Fisher said. But there is some evidence that their populations have declined in Minnesota rivers and lakes — modestly for some species, more noticeably for others, he said.
“We just don't know how vulnerable they could be,” Fisher said.
Native rough fish face threats, including pollution, dams that block their passage upstream and warming lakes and rivers. In the past, people who perceived them as a nuisance sometimes killed and dumped them.
There’s been increased interest in catching, bowfishing or spearing native rough fish. Many anglers consider them accessible, fun to catch and tasty to eat.
Proposed limits
The proposed bag limits vary from six for bowfin to 30 for most other native rough fish species, including suckers, redhorse, freshwater drum, mooneye and goldeye. Anglers would be limited to five bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo in the northern part of their range, but could keep 30 in the south.
The proposed limits do not apply to common carp, Fisher said.
“This is strictly for the native species that have always been here,” he said.
Under the current rules, there are no catch limits for most native rough fish species. The proposed rules evolved through ongoing discussion and compromise with anglers and conservation groups, Fisher said.
“There were people who were very insistent that the limits should be 100 fish per species,” he said. “And then there were those who thought the limits should be zero, because we didn't have the best data in the world to start with.”
The proposed rules also address structures such as dams or culverts that prevent native rough fish from migrating upstream. Installing a culvert to block common carp would be allowed, “but it would be inappropriate and no longer desirable to block the native rough fish to impede their movement,” Fisher said.
The new rules also clarify that if anglers catch native rough fish, it’s OK to return them to the water.
The DNR is accepting public comments until March 12. If approved, the new rules would take effect for the 2027 fishing season.
