DNR: Mille Lacs Walleye Fishing Closed from July 7-28

For other species only artificial baits and lures are allowed in possession, unless anglers are targeting pike or muskie

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that walleye fishing will be closed on Mille Lacs Lake for 20 days.

According to the DNR, walleye fishing will be closed from July 7-27. Fishing fall all other species, including bass will remain open.

With a ban on night fishing already in place for the season, walleye fishing on the lake effectively closes at 10:01 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 and reopen at 6:01 a.m. Friday, July 28.

The closure is to prevent fish from dying after being caught and released.

“Conserving the Mille Lacs walleye fishery is a top priority for DNR and the closure is happening when fish are most vulnerable to stress from warm water and high fishing pressure,” said Don Pererira, DNR fisheries chief.

The tendency for caught fish to die after being released is called hooking mortality, which increases as water temperature warms.

The DNR also states that when fishing for other species only artificial baits and lures are allowed in possession, except anglers targeting northern pike or muskie may fish with sucker minnows longer than 8 inches.

Walleye fishing will close again on Tuesday, September 5 through Thursday, November 30.

For more information about Mille Lacs and DNR efforts on the lake visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/millelacslake