Minnesota Winter Walleye Limits Set for Mille Lacs and Red Lake

(KNSI) – Winter Walleye limits on two of Minnesota’s most popular lakes will remain the same.

The Department of Natural Resources is again allowing anglers to keep two fish between 18 and 20 inches on Lake Mille Lacs. The rules allow people to take one fish over 28 inches long. DNR fisheries section manager Brad Parsons says the lake is getting healthier. “Mille Lacs’ walleye population is trending in a good direction for adult and juvenile fish. Juvenile perch and tullibee, important walleye forage species, are also abundant.”

The DNR based its decision on this fall’s Mille Lacs netting assessment, which showed more walleyes than in 2023. State-licensed anglers share the harvest with Ojibwe tribes that retain treaty fishing rights. As of September 30th, state-licensed anglers had caught around 30,000 of the 91,000 pounds of walleye they are allowed to take for the season.

Red Lake’s regulations will also remain the same at four, with only one fish larger than 17 inches allowed in a haul. Parsons says, “Our fall assessment placed us in a surplus condition, which allows us to set a more liberal target harvest. The state waters of Upper Red Lake have a high number of spawning-aged female walleye. We’re also seeing abundant numbers of young walleye, which bodes well for the future.”

Fall netting found the number of walleye on Upper Red Lake was 41.5 walleye per net. Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals and regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake.

Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between the Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR. It is governed by a joint harvest plan agreed upon by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee. The Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals, regulation options and recommendations.

The restrictions go into effect on December 1st and remain until February 28th.

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