Minnesota

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • Recreational gold panning allowed with hand tools in waterways
  • • No permits required for gold panning with minimal impact
  • • Limited USFS lands allow collecting (about 10 pounds)
  • • Hand tools only, no motorized equipment
  • • Materials for personal use only

Permits & Licenses

  • • No permits for recreational gold panning
  • • State Parks and SNAs prohibit all collecting
  • • National Forest doesn't require permits for small amounts
  • • Commercial collecting requires permits

Restrictions

  • • Rock collecting NOT allowed in state parks or scientific/natural areas
  • • Cannot disturb fish and aquatic plant habitat
  • • No collecting during fish spawning seasons
  • • National Parks prohibit all collecting

Contacts

  • • Minnesota DNR: (888) 646-6367
  • • Minnesota Geological Survey: (612) 626-2969
  • • Superior National Forest: (218) 626-4300
  • • Chippewa National Forest: (218) 335-8600