Catch-and-Release Walleye Season Announced at Mille Lacs Lake

Mille Lacs Lake Needs to Rebuild Walleye Population

Mille Lacs Lake, Minn.-Catch-and-release regulations will be in effect again this year, in order to rebuild the Walleye population.

Anglers will be on the water May 13, with the walleye season running until Sept. 4.

“Our goal is to have the longest fishing season possible while ensuring the conservation of the lake’s future walleye spawning stock,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr in a prepared statement. “We understand catch and release is a difficult option for anglers who enjoy a fish meal, but we are using everything in our management toolbox to ensure a healthy and plentiful walleye population for future fishing seasons.”

The lake will also have a 21-day walleye fishing closure July 7th through the 27th. During that period, anglers will be able to fish for all other species in Mille Lacs Lake including bass, muskies, and northern pike – but only with artificial bait and lures.

“An exception exists for anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge only, and who don’t possess walleye gear,” the DNR said in a statement. “Those anglers may possess and use live sucker minnows longer than eight inches when fishing.”

The decision to have a 21-day closure period during the walleye season was made after a successful winter season on Mille Lacs drove walleye harvest higher than expected.

“Ice anglers fished more on Mille Lacs in 2017 and caught more and larger walleye than expected,” said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries section chief in a statement.  “As a result, ice fishing this winter accounted for about one-third of the total amount of walleye state anglers can harvest from Mille Lacs in 2017.”

For more information about Mille Lacs Lake, visit mndnr.gov/millelacslake.