DNR Announces Mille Lacs Lake Winter Fishing Limits

MILLE LACS, Minn. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be limited to one walleye during the winter fishing season.

The regulations will allow for one walleye from 19 and 21 inches long or one longer than 28 inches. The winter walleye season begins Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 26.

The limit was set after tribal and DNR biologists met Tuesday to evaluate the walleye population. They found that conservation goals had been met, and there was limited fish mortality during the past year.

"The winter season regulation enables Mille Lacs anglers to catch and keep walleye while providing necessary fish conservation and support to the Mille Lacs area economy," said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries chief. "This regulation allows continued protection of walleye in Mille Lacs' abundant 2013 year class, which are the lake's future spawners."

Mille Lacs was once considered Minnesota's premiere walleye fishery, but the species has been on a long-term decline.

The DNR closed the walleye season on Mille Lacs early during the summer season of 2015. Catch-and-release regulations were imposed on the popular walleye lake in north-central Minnesota for the first time this past season.

The winter regulations also allow five northern pike per angler. The pike regulation starts Dec. 1. For spearing, the season ends Feb. 26, but anglers can fish for pike until March 26.

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