Minnesota DNR Expands Walleye Limits on Lake Mille Lacs to Two Fish Per Angler Starting August 16th

 (KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it will increase the bag limit for walleye on Lake Mille Lacs.

Anglers can keep two between 18 and 20 inches long or one in that slot limit and another over 28 inches. That’s double what officials thought the catch would be for the fall.

The new regulations start August 16th and will replace the current catch-and-release season. The new regulations will be in place until November 20th.

DNR fisheries section manager Brad Parsons explained why the change. “Fishing was great for the first two months of the season, but with the catch and release regulation and windy and rainy weather, far fewer people than expected fished Mille Lacs so far this season, creating room for more harvest.”

According to DNR data, as of July 15th, Minnesota anglers had taken about 26% of their overall limit for the year.

The state’s anglers share the harvest on Mille Lacs with the Ojibwe tribes, who maintain their fishing rights by treaty. The tribes have harvested around 53,600 pounds of their allowed 65,950 pounds.