Anglers Break Mille Lacs Lake Walleye Quota, But Season to Remain Open

The most recent Mille Lacs Lake walleye harvest estimate indicates that anglers have surpassed the state’s 2016 walleye quota, but the state will not close the catch-and-release walleye season at this time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced in a news release Tuesday.

According to DNR fisheries chief Don Pereira, analysis has shown that the catch-and-release-only regulations on Mille Lacs are successfully conserving the lake’s future spawning population of walleye.

"The primary goal of the catch-and-release restriction is protecting young walleye, especially the robust 2013 year class. Current data show that only 1 percent of the 2013 fish have been impacted by hooking mortality, which is remarkably low."

DNR fisheries biologists will continue to monitor creel survey results and water temperatures on Mille Lacs through the remainder of the open-water season to ensure conservation of the lake’s future spawning population of walleye.

Long thought of primarily as a walleye lake, Mille Lacs has also become a premier location for northern pike, muskie and smallmouth bass fishing. In September, the lake will host the Bassmaster Elite Series, an event that will bring the nation’s best bass anglers to Mille Lacs.

Additional information about Mille Lacs fisheries management can be found on the Mille Lacs management page. This year’s fishing regulations are on the DNR website on the Fish Minnesota page.

Image: Doug Kerr via Flickr /Creative Commons