More restrictive walleye regulations for Upper Red Lake take effect Jan. 23

[fishtrap3]

Beginning Friday, Jan. 23, walleye regulations will become more restrictive on Upper Red Lake because of a record December walleye harvest, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The daily bag and possession limit will be two walleye, and anglers must immediately release all walleye

17- to 26-inches long. Only one walleye in possession may be longer than 26 inches. The current regulation allowed three walleye in the daily bag and possession limit.

Walleye fishing pressure and harvest continue to increase on Upper Red Lake despite more restrictive angling regulations that were implemented on Dec. 1, 2014.

“Fishing pressure in December was more than double compared to last December,” said Gary Barnard, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor. “High walleye catch rates and ideal ice travel conditions attracted a record number of walleye anglers to Upper Red Lake this winter.”

Walleye harvest is up 57 percent from estimates for a comparable time period last year, requiring some action to help curtail excessive winter harvest.

Upper Red Lake harvest restrictions are necessary to comply with a joint walleye harvest plan agreement with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. For more information on Red Lake fishing regulations, see www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Up 57% from last year?

Are you seeing around that many more Walleyes taken out this December over last December? Is this micro-managing or not?

Are they sampling more than last year?

[Stcloudangler]

  Fisherman For a Lifetime said:

Up 57% from last year?

Are you seeing around that many more Walleyes taken out this December over last December? Is this micro-managing or not?

Are they sampling more than last year?

I think if the actual number of fish that have been eaten on, or taken off the lake was quantified the number would be staggering. There is a reason people are fishing the crud out of that lake. I have no problem with it.

[Hawg]

Either we take em or they net em! We paid for em over and over and over. That's not sarcasm, that's fact.