New Regulations for Mille Lacs

[JP Z]

As we've already discussed it is only 1 Walleye between 19-21" or 1 over 28"

Interesting on the Pike, and they are now allowing a musky night fishing season...

Including all tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Bass season opens and closes with the walleye season. Combined possession limit is six, with only one Smallmouth Bass over 18".

Northern Pike: Possession limit is ten, except only one may be over 30". However, two northern pike less than 30" taken that same day must be in immediate possession before harvesting one 30" or greater. The angling season for northern pike extends through the last Sunday in March.

Tullibee (Cisco): Possession limit ten.

Walleye: All less than 19" or greater than 21" must be immediately released, except one 28" or greater is allowed in possession. Possession limit one.

Changes in the walleye regulations will be immediately posted at access sites and on the DNR website.

No culling or live-well sorting: Fish taken into possession are considered part of an angler's bag limit and cannot be exchanged with another fish.

Night Closure: No one may fish for any species or possess fishing gear on the lake from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning at 10 p.m. May 11 and ending at 12:01 a.m. on December 1, with the following two exceptions, beginning June 8: (1) Muskellunge angling - Muskellunge may be targeted with artificial lures longer than 8" measured from the front of the eye of the lure to the end of the trailing hook, or with sucker minnows longer than 8". No person may have in possession tackle or baits other than those specifically designed for muskellunge angling. No possession or targeting of species other than muskellunge. (2) Bowfishing for rough fish - No possession of angling equipment - only Bowfishing equipment can be possessed - and only rough fish may be in possession.

[Mike #1]

Two threads already started on this.

[laker1]

Time to say just catch and release instead of one fish. Maybe allow 3 fish until quota is met. Shut it off.

Also somebody meaning the legislature has to get together with some long term solutions. This quota thing because of the treaty has not been working.

[Sculpin]

Catch and release is one of the methods that got us in the mess we are in today. Catch and release is what generates "hooking mortality" and in some years hooking mortality was four or five times what the harvest MAY be this year.

One and done.

[JBMasterAngler]

So will it be easier to get a camping spot at father hennepin this summer?

[Sculpin]

Perhaps not. It's important to realize that Mille Lacs, and the surrounding area, has much more to offer than a four or six fish limit of walleyes. Great golf courses, bike trails, hiking, parks, sailing, etc. Many other excellent lakes can be found within 20 minutes of the park. In addition, Mille Lacs has world class smallmouth fishing, muskie fishing, pike fishing, and if you can believe the DNR, still great walleye fishing on the big lake.

Make your reservations early.

[tolle141]

The resorts that learn how to leverage other options likeSculpin described will significantly outperform the rest, even when the walleye come back. They create more value.

Many of the muskie guides do exceptionally well. Smallmouth are a blast. The new limits for smallies will actually encourage more tournaments.

[eyeguy 54]

one and done?? that will never happen

[milkman77]

It is time to close walleye on the lake completely and figure out a way to eradicate some northern. Simply slowing fishing pressure a bit with this new reg may help a bit but still take far too long to BRI g population back. Closing walleye will stop hook mortality of those who would still fish. Faster they get the walleye back, the less pressure will effect other lakes and return area businesses to prosperity

[JP Z]

tolle,

The issue with the smallies, is that I believe Mille Lacs is a NO CULL lake which is why there aren't any bass tourneys out there. But hey they seem to like to change regs on a whim so maybe......

[jigginjim]

Vermillion is the tribes next lake to ruin the fishing. Then the tribe will walk in buy out all the resorts and cabin owners. It will happen to Milles Lacs in the next two to three years. I will bet money on that, there you go guys keep spending your hard earned money in the casinos, giving the tribes money for court cases.

May be we should stop buying fishing licenses, maybe that would wake the Capital morons.... they dictate the DNR..

[northender]

Perhaps not. It's important to realize that Mille Lacs, and the surrounding area, has much more to offer than a four or six fish limit of walleyes. Great golf courses, bike trails, hiking, parks, sailing, etc. Many other excellent lakes can be found within 20 minutes of the park. In addition, Mille Lacs has world class smallmouth fishing, muskie fishing, pike fishing, and if you can believe the DNR, still great walleye fishing on the big lake.

Make your reservations early.

The muskie numbers are so low, there is next to no one fishing them the past couple years compared to the previous 10 years. No where near "world class" anymore.

[Coach1310]

The problem with the One fish limit is you still have all the hooking mortality. Less than 1% of guys are going to go up there, catch that first fish in the slot, throw it in the livewell and go home. Hooking mortality per angler hour will be the same as it always has... the only difference will be with less anglers on the lake, there will be less, but to think a one fish limit fixes the hooking mortality problem is not correct.