Department of Natural Resources Expands Slot Limit for Walleye on Mille Lacs Lake

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding the slot limit for walleye this season on Mille Lacs Lake.

Starting August 1st, the minimum length anglers can keep drops from 21″ to 20″. The DNR says the one fish limit remains, but allowing for the harvest of smaller fish offers more opportunity to keep one. The size now includes one walleye between 20″ and 23″ or one longer 28″.

The recent lower catch rate of Mille Lacs walleye is less a reflection of the number of walleyes in the lake than the abundance of natural forage.

“With the catch rates we’ve had this spring and early summer, we can expand opportunity a bit for the rest of the open water season without harm to the long-term sustainability of the lake’s walleye population,” said Brian Nerbonne, central region fisheries manager for the DNR.

Population models incorporating test netting done each fall indicate the number of walleyes in the lake longer than 14″ have been similar from 2020-2023, but test netting shows an increase in the abundance of yellow perch from strong recent year classes. With more forage fish to eat, walleye have been less willing to bite on anglers’ lines.

“Although the relaxed slot limit may not seem like a big change, the current size structure of walleye in the lake means this will increase anglers’ chances of catching a harvestable fish,” Nerbonne said.

Regulations for all other species on the lake remain unchanged. New walleye regulations will be announced in November for the winter season, which begins Friday, December 1st.

More information about fishing regulations on Mille Lacs Lake, ongoing Minnesota DNR management and research, citizen engagement, and Mille Lacs area recreation opportunities is available by clicking here.

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