The thirteenth Minnesota Legislature first convened on January 3, 1871. The 11 members of the Minnesota Senate who represented odd-numbered districts were chosen in the General Election of November 2, 1869, while the 11 members of the Minnesota Senate who represented even-numbered districts, and the 47 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives, were chosen in the General Election of November 8, 1870.
The legislature met in a regular session from January 3, 1871 to March 3, 1871. There were no special sessions of the 13th Minnesota Legislature.