Mille Lacs Lake Will Stay Open Through Winter

Anglers can fish for walleye on Mille Lacs Lake earlier this winter fishing season, according to a release from the MN DNR.

After a meeting comprised of Tribal and DNR biologists on November 1st, it was determined that minimal fishing mortality occurred during the past year and the key population benchmarks were successfully met, according to the the release. Those two components lead up to a “modest winter harvest for Mille Lacs Lake walleye.”

According to the release, the winter walleye season will begin Thursday, December 1st, through Sunday, February 26th, 2017.

Anglers were reminded in the release, that they were allowed to keep one walleye between 19 and 21 inches or one longer than 28 inches.

“This regulation allows continued protection of walleye in Mille Lacs’ abundant 2013 year class, which are the lake’s future spawners,” said Don Pereira, the DNR fisheries chief.

Pike regulations will also go into effect December 1st through March 26th, 2017 for angling, and February 26th, 2017, for spearing, as stated in the release.  There has been no change to bass regulations.