Mille Lacs Lake Bag Limit to Increase Saturday, August 23rd

(KNSI) — Walleye bag limits on Mille Lacs Lake will increase sooner than previously announced.

Starting Saturday, August 23rd, the daily limit will go from two to three fish, but the slot limit will remain unchanged. Anglers can keep fish measuring 17 inches or longer, with only one fish allowed to exceed 20 inches in length.

Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, explained that the adjustment reflects the department’s commitment to sustainable fishery management while responding to current fishing conditions.

“Our primary management objective is to maintain a healthy walleye population and remain within the state’s share of sustainable harvest. The slow bite this year allows the DNR to meet that primary goal and offer anglers the chance to take home an extra fish during the remainder of the season.”

Current harvest data indicates that state-licensed anglers have taken 23.5% of their allocated 113,600-pound quota as of July 31st. The reduced fishing success this season stems from abundant alternative food sources in the lake.

Parsons emphasized that the challenging fishing conditions indicate positive ecosystem health. “Although abundant forage has slowed angler catch rates, that’s a good, healthy sign for Mille Lacs Lake,” he noted. “Anglers are reporting they are catching plump walleye, and we expect the lake’s walleye population to grow well this season.”

The original date for the new limit was September 1st.

The expanded limit will remain in effect through Sunday, November 30th.

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