New Regs for Mille Lacs Walleyes

Anglers who fish Mille Lacs Lake during this season will be able to keep walleye less than 17 inches in length.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says this is a change from last year's regulation that allowed keeping of walleye less than 18 inches.

The 17- to 28-inch protected slot regulation is designed to keep the walleye harvest by state licensed anglers within the state's allocation of safe harvest. One walleye 28 inches or longer may be included in the four-fish limit. The walleye season is scheduled to open Saturday, May 12.  Although, there is an effort to move-up the opener by one week, so that it won't conflict with Mother's Day.

Mille Lacs Lake is being managed this year for a safe walleye harvest level of 500,000 pounds. The state angler allocation is 357,500 pounds. The tribal allocation is 142,500 pounds. The DNR met with the citizen-comprised Mille Lacs Fishery Input Group twice this past winter to discuss fishing issues.