The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on new fishing rules that would allow for a year-round bass season that includes a period for harvest and a period for catch-and-release fishing.

The proposed expedited rules would adjust the inland waters fishing regulations by creating a year-round bass season. Portions of the year would be catch-and-release only while the other parts of the year would allow for bass harvest.

All the current harvest periods would remain the same, with catch-and-release-only bass season periods expanding to include periods that until now were closed to bass fishing. If enacted, the new rule would go into effect for the 2026 fishing season.

The Minnesota DNR is taking input on this proposal through Thursday, Oct. 23, and more information is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/input/rules/fisheries/continuous-bass-season.html). Input can be submitted to Shannon Fisher at shannon.fisher@state.mn.us or 651-259-5206, or via U.S. mail to Bass Season Rules/Shannon Fisher, Box 20, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.