News Release August 13, 2024 "Regulation change will increase walleye limit to 2 on Mille Lacs Lake"

"Early season conditions allow for increased late season fishing opportunity
Effective Friday, Aug. 16, Mille Lacs walleye anglers can harvest up to two walleye through Saturday, Nov. 30. Both fish can be 18-20 inches in length or one can be 18-20 inches and the other must be longer than 28 inches.

“With high angler catch rates last fall, we opted for setting conservative fishing regulations this season because we expected high catch rates to continue,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager. “Indeed, 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.”

As of July 15, state-licensed anglers had harvested about 26% of their allowed walleye take.

Based on meteorologists’ projections for a hot and dry summer, along with data on the fishery and past angler effort, the originally planned regulation starting Aug. 16 would have allowed anglers to keep one fish 21 to 23 inches or longer than 28 inches.

Population surveys suggest that Mille Lacs currently has relatively high numbers of walleye 18-20 inches in length. Expanding the possession limit to two fish and moving the size of harvestable fish to that size range allows anglers to catch and keep the “eaters” many prefer.

“We hope that anglers come out and take advantage of this opportunity to fish walleye on Mille Lacs,” Parsons said. “Anglers have advocated for relaxing walleye regulations to increase harvest opportunity when conditions allow, and this is one of those times.”

State-licensed anglers share the harvest on Mille Lacs with Ojibwe tribes that retain fishing rights by treaty. To conserve the fishery, an annual safe harvest level is set through discussion and agreement between the state and the tribes, with each party setting regulations to stay within their share of the harvest.

As of July 15, state-licensed anglers had harvested around 24,000 pounds of out of a potential harvest of 91,550 pounds. Tribal fishing harvest has been 53,671 pounds of the allowed 65,950 pounds.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated angler surveys that show ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike and yellow perch are available here on the Minnesota DNR website >> Lake Mille Lacs Home Page

News Release May 20, 2024 "Clear Lake Sibley County Open For Unlimited Fishing"

"The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has opened Clear Lake in Sibley County to unlimited fishing, allowing anglers to harvest fish that would likely not survive the upcoming winter during low water conditions on the 505-acre lake.

As part of a project to improve fish and wildlife habitat on Clear Lake, this spring the Minnesota DNR will begin to lower the lake’s water levels. The lake has been overwhelmed by large populations of common carp, causing turbid water and impeding aquatic plant growth. The lowered water levels mimic a drought, which can act as a natural “reset” to an ecosystem.

The drawdown will occur throughout the open water season of 2024. Plans call for lowering water levels by about 4 feet to create conditions for a winterkill and reduce common carp populations. The drawdown will also allow sediments to consolidate, which will allow new growth of submergent and emergent vegetation.

“Unlimited fishing presents an opportunity for anglers to harvest fish in Clear Lake as we proceed with the drawdown,” said Scott Mackenthun, Hutchinson area fisheries supervisor. “Clear Lake has suffered from impaired water quality for two decades.”

Unlimited fishing on Clear Lake will be in effect through Feb. 23, 2025. Anglers should check important rules for unlimited fishing that are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/fishing/liberalized).

Once water quality is improved, the Minnesota DNR will stock walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and bluegill in Clear Lake.

Common carp can have a negative impact on water quality when they uproot native plants and disturb phosphorous-rich bottom sediments through their feeding habits. A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency watershed assessment (webapp.pca.state.mn.us/surface-water/impairment/72-0089-00) performed in 2017 found that Clear Lake had phosphorus levels more than three times the level that delineates an impaired water from non-impaired."

Anyone with questions about the Clear Lake project can contact Mackenthun at scott.mackenthun@state.mn.us or at 320-753-0324.

News Release March 14, 2024 "Upper Red Lake Walleye Regulations 2024 Summer"

"Anglers fishing on Upper Red Lake during the 2024 open-water season that starts May 11 will have a three-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed. Beginning June 15, the limit will change to a four-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.

“This fishing regulation is a reflection of the lake’s popularity, especially when fishing is good,” said Edie Evarts, DNR area fisheries supervisor for Bemidji. “We’ve opted for a slightly more conservative bag limit for the early part of the summer to maintain the long-term health of the fishery and keep Upper Red Lake a premier angling destination.”

In response to a record-high harvest this winter and the need to stay within the state’s annual harvest quota, the DNR has opted for a lower daily limit during the early open water season, when catch rates and angler effort are highest. The decision to increase the possession limit by one fish starting June 15 will allow additional angling harvest opportunity while maintaining a healthy walleye population.

Walleye management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort between Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR, governed by a joint harvest plan revised by the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee in 2015. Winter harvest regulations for 2024-2025 will be determined after the summer fishing season and completion of fall assessment netting.

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. Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR fishing regulations page."

News Release March 14, 2024 "DNR sets open water Walleye Regulations for Mille Lacs"

"Mille Lacs walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and early summer of 2024, with the potential to harvest a walleye 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches starting on Friday, August 16.

“Despite poor ice conditions, anglers caught a lot of walleye this past fall and winter because those fish weren’t finding enough to eat,” said Brad Parsons, DNR Fisheries Section Manager. “We need to adjust the open water season regulations to account for the active bite and for the likelihood of higher water temperatures this summer. Even with catch-and-release regulations, many fish die when water temperatures get too warm.”

Good to excellent walleye fishing is expected to continue on Mille Lacs throughout the open water season, which begins on Saturday, May 11, and concludes on Saturday, Nov. 30. Catch rates should remain high with fish eager to bite.

While the DNR’s 2023 Mille Lacs assessment found slightly lower walleye numbers in 2022, overall the population remains healthy due to the continued abundance of walleye born in 2013 and 2017. Assessment results also indicate decent numbers of walleye born in 2021 and 2022 that should contribute to the walleye population in the future.

Those same population estimates, netting surveys and population models also indicate there are fewer yellow perch and tullibee, the primary food sources for Mille Lacs Lake walleye. With less natural forage, walleye searching for a meal are more likely to bite on anglers’ baits.

“It seems logical that high catch rates mean there are more walleye in the lake,” Parsons said. “The data we’ve collected and analyzed suggest the hot bite is because walleye aren’t finding as many tullibee and perch to eat. Our management decisions take those data into account.”

Mille Lacs continues to be a lake experiencing changes. Increasing water clarity and the introduction of invasive species such as zebra mussels and spiny water fleas mean there is less microscopic aquatic food, resulting in decreased production of forage species and fewer walleye maturing past their first year.

“Mille Lacs is a great place to fish and recreate, and anglers will continue to enjoy quality opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge,” said Parsons. “Our management approach is aligned with the Mille Lacs management plan and reflects our commitment to navigating the lake's unique dynamics and preserving its angling tradition.”

The DNR decided to allow catch-and-release only walleye angling from May through August 15. This decision aims to enable the harvest of one walleye measuring 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches starting on Friday, August 16, assuming conditions permit.

State-licensed anglers share the harvest on Mille Lacs with Ojibwe tribes that retain fishing rights by treaty. To conserve the fishery, an annual safe harvest level is set through discussion and agreement between the state and the tribes, with each party setting regulations to stay within their share of the harvest. This year’s agreement took the lake’s overall walleye population decline into account and lowered the walleye safe harvest level by 10% from 2023, setting it at 91,500 lbs. for state-licensed anglers and 65,500 lbs. for tribal fishing."

News Release February 8, 2024 "Public input needed on fisheries management plans for 112 Minnesota lakes"

February is the month to connect with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries offices across Minnesota about 112 lakes in 34 counties that will have their fisheries lake management plans updated in 2024.

“People interested in the health and quality of Minnesota’s fisheries are a critical part of the DNR’s fisheries lake management planning process,” said Jon Hansen, DNR fisheries management consultant. “These plans establish fisheries management goals and objectives for each lake and define the work fisheries biologists do each year. Plans aren’t complete without observations and input from a lake’s stakeholders.”

The list of lakes is on the DNR website. Fisheries management plans for Minnesota’s 10 largest lakes follow a similar but separate update process. People who want to discuss management for a lake can call or email the area fisheries office listed for that lake during February. Those observations and comments, obtained during the initial step of the process, will be considered as area fisheries managers begin developing updates for each fisheries management plan. “We want to hear from anyone interested in these fisheries,” Hansen said. “Comments about experiences, observations, concerns and wishes for the fishery – rather than suggestions on how the DNR might accomplish a specific goal or objective – are the most helpful kinds of input.”

• Some questions to consider include:
• “What kind of fishing experience are you looking for?”
• “Are there fish habitat concerns you’d like to share?”
• “What kinds of fish do you like to catch?”
• “Do you like catching big fish or a lot of fish?”
• “Do you have social concerns about the fishery?”

The DNR’s interest in comments goes beyond individuals. Representatives of lake associations, outdoors groups, conservations organizations and local units of government are encouraged to comment during this initial period. Based on a lake’s needs, location or public interest, area fisheries managers might determine additional public engagement is necessary before a plan can be completed. Those opportunities will be promoted regionally and posted on the DNR lake management page.

For additional information about why and how the DNR develops and utilizes fisheries management plans for Minnesota’s 4,500 actively managed lakes, visit the DNR’s lake management planning page.

The lakes, listed by county, scheduled for lake management plan updates in 2024 include: Anoka: Crooked Lake • Becker: Bad Medicine, Little Cormorant, Waboose • Beltrami: Plantagenet, Bemidji, Big Bass • Blue Earth: Crystal (Lake Crystal), Loon (Lake Crystal), • Carlton: Forbay (Carlton) • Carver: Eagle • Cook: Little Bass (Remer), Pleasant, Gadwell, Vale, Stony, Crooked, Greenwood, Homer, Mcfarland, Mountain, Otter, Wampus, Cottonwood: Double • Crow Wing: Rock (Pine Center), Smith (Garrison), Douglas: Aaron (Millerville) • Hennepin: Medicine, Nokomis • Hubbard: East Crooked, Middle Crooked, West Crooked • Itasca: Blandin (Grand Rapids), Buck (Nashwauk), Burrows (Marcell), Cutfoot Sioux (Squaw Lake), Deer (Deer River), Little Cutfoot (Deer River), Little Moose (Grand Rapids), Moonshine (Grand Rapids), Moose (Deer River), No-te-she-bun (Remer), O'Brien (Nashwauk), Snowball (Calumet), Trestle (Talmoon), Wilson • Kandiyohi: Norway, Andrew, Games • Koochiching: Pine • Lake: Coffee, Organ, Basswood, Bald Eagle, Cedar (Winton), Fall, Good, Indiana, Lax, Little Knife, Newfound, Newton, Ojibway, Snowbank, Sucker • LeSueur: Gorman (Cordova), Roemhildts (Elysian), Volney (Le Center) • Lincoln: Hendricks, Perch • Meeker: Wolf (Dassel), Little Mud (Watkins), Little Swan (Dassel), Ripley (Litchfield), Round (Litchfield) • Murray: Fulda Lakes • Nobles: Bella • Otter Tail: Fish (Fergus Falls), Crystal (Pelican Rapids), Long (Fergus Falls) • Polk: Union • Pope: Pelican (Long Beach), Reno (Forada), Emily (Hancock) • Ramsey: Turtle • Rice: Cedar (Faribault) • St. Louis: Wild Rice Reservoir (Duluth), Boulder Reservoir (Duluth), Deepwater (Chisholm), Burntside, Ash, East & West Twin, Birch, Blueberry, Cedar (Aurora), Cedar Island, Crellin, Cummings, Elbow, Esquagama, Little Trout, Trout • Stearns: Two Rivers, Big Sauk, Little Birch • Todd: Beauty, Big Sauk, Little Birch • Waseca: Reeds (Elysian), St. Olaf (New Richland) • Washington: Lily • Wright: Deer

Learn how to provide your input and view the full list of the lakes with proposed changes, click here >> Help Update MN DNR Fisheries Lake Management Plans

News Release August 9, 2023 "Minnesota DNR seeks input on proposed special fishing regulations"

Each year, the Minnesota DNR proposes new special fishing regulations that apply to individual waters and asks the public for input about the proposals. The regulations, if enacted, are reviewed on a regular basis. The Minnesota DNR is proposing either new or changes to existing experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2024 fishing season that address a variety of topics.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input on several special fishing regulation proposals for 2024 including Walleyes, sunfish and northern pike. Lakes include Winnie, Gull, Clearwater, Big Sand and more. For a full list of proposed regulation changes and information about how to provide your input, follow this link >> August 9, 2023 Minnesota DNR seeks input on proposed special fishing regulations for 2024

News Release April 20, 2023 "Upper Red Lake Walleye Limit Increased For 2023"

"Anglers fishing on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota during the 2023 open-water season that starts May 13 will have a five-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“This summer we are able to have a more generous bag limit as the 2019 class is super abundant. These fish are around 15 inches and are now becoming mature,” said Edie Evarts, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor. “We hope anglers will enjoy this extra opportunity, which will also meet our goal of managing spawning walleye stock at a level that produces future strong year classes.”

The 2022 open water season had a four-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 20 inches allowed.

“More spawning stock is not always better on Upper Red Lake. Our management has shown that too many spawners in the lake can result in smaller year classes,” Evarts said.

The Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR manage walleye harvest on Red Lake under a joint harvest plan that the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee revised in 2015. The 2023-2024 winter harvest regulations will be determined after the summer fishing season and the completion of fall assessment netting.

An Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals and regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake. Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR fishing regulations page opens in a new browser tab.

Anglers are reminded to protect Upper Red Lake from aquatic invasive species by cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash. A permanent decontamination station is coming soon to the Tamarac River Big Bog Public Water Access, referred to locally as Homestead Park."

Jeff Sundin "First Weekend For New Fishing Opportunities" February 23, 2023

"The new issue of the MN DNR Fishing Regulations is out and for 2023-2024, stability is the theme. The entire "new regulations section" takes up about a half page and except for the new bag limit for Gar, there is nothing surprising, alarming, or controversial about the regulations.

The arrival of the 2023-2024 regulations booklet offers a reminder to anglers that fishing licenses are due for renewal after this weekend, Sunday at midnight to be exact. That’s when the walleye and northern pike seasons will close on Minnesota’s inland waters.

If you’re reading this, then you probably fish and if you fish more than a couple days each season, you’ll probably need a full season license at some point anyway. Even though your old license is good through the weekend, my advice is to make life easier, get the new one now and be done with it. Use this link to Buy your Minnesota Fishing License right now. Or use this link to read the >> 2023-2034 Mn Fishing Regulations Booklet

May 28, 2022 -"Legal Limits For Live Minnows In Minnesota?"

On Wednesday May 26, 2022 I wrote; "Just in time for the Memorial Day Holiday, bait trappers found their traps teaming with the silvery bait fish on Wednesday morning. Overnight, the situation changed from bait retailers rationing customer purchases, to offering anglers “all the minnows they want”, within the legal limits, of course."

Q) Tyson Kuhn wrote; "What’s the “legal limit” on shiners? I’ve never heard that before."

A) Tyson, There are actually 2 answers to your question. Page 30 of Minneosta's 2022 Fishing Regulations Book says. "You can take an unlimited number of minnows and leeches with an angling license for personal use, however you may not transport more then 12 dozen minnows at one time without a commercial minnow license. All minnows and leeches must be transported in tap, well or bottled water."

So, to be more clear, you can, if you wish, buy more than 12 dozen minnows. But you'll have to break them down into smaller batches and transport them seperately to your fishing destination or home to your minnow tanks. 200

News Release May 25, 2022 "Minnesota DNR reminds Mille Lacs anglers of June 1, 2022 catch-and-release walleye regulations"

"Mille Lacs Lake anglers can keep one walleye from 21 to 23 inches, or one over 28 inches, through Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Walleye fishin

A two-week closure, implemented to reduce hooking mortality, will then be in place from Friday, July 1, 2022 through Friday, July 15, 2022.

g will be catch-and-release from Wednesday, June 1, through Thursday, June 30.During the walleye closure, angling is allowed for all other species; however, live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, night crawlers, worms, leeches or crayfish may not be used while fishing during this period.

Anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge are allowed to use sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length. All other anglers must use artificial lures. Catch-and-release walleye fishing will resume on Saturday, July 16, 2022 and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.

The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 1, through Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all species. Beginning on the opening of muskellunge season on Saturday, June 4, 2022 anglers targeting muskie and northern pike are not subject to the night fishing closure, if they are using artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. During the late walleye harvest season beginning Thursday, Sept. 1, anglers can fish from 6 a.m. to midnight."

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations are available at >> MN DNR Mille Lacs Lake

News Release April 21, 2022 "DNR announces temporary, seasonal fishing closures"

"To protect spawning fish, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters. The closings are routine and based on local conditions.

Closings occur each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations to fishing only where habitat is limited and fish are very concentrated in one location, such as a river or the bay of a lake where fish are congregated during spawning.

Areas closed to fishing are listed and updated on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Regulations/Fishing/Fishing-Seasonal-Closures.html). Portions of waters closed to fishing also are posted at access sites and in other visible areas. Anglers may fish in areas that are not posted."

News Release April 21, 2022 "Upper Red Lake walleye regulations announced for open water season"

Anglers fishing during the 2022 open-water season that starts May 14 on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota will have a four-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 20 inches allowed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Although angler activity was once again high last winter, harvest was modest at 134,000 pounds of walleye. Early winter fishing was very good, but heavy snow reduced anglers’ mobility and harvest in the later months.

Fall netting is used to assess the status of the walleye population and directly informs the pounds of walleye that can be sustainably harvested throughout the year — 2021 surveys found a robust population of walleye. The four-walleye possession limit, with one over 20-inch size restriction, is intended to keep total annual harvest within the target harvest range of 240,000 to 336,000 pounds. The 2021 open water regulation was a three-walleye limit with one over 17 inches allowed.

“We are happy that anglers will have the opportunity to harvest a few more and larger fish this summer,” said Edie Evarts, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor. “This is due to a combination of lower winter harvest and a desire to manage spawning stock at a level that stimulates recruitment of strong year classes.”

The Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR manage walleye harvest on Red Lake under a joint harvest plan that the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee revised in 2015.

The 2022-2023 winter harvest regulations will be determined after the summer fishing season and the completion of fall assessment netting.

An Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee reviews walleye harvest totals and regulation options and provides recommendations for the state waters of Upper Red Lake.

Conservation success story

Red Lake is a naturally productive walleye fishery but over harvest caused the walleye population to collapse in the 1990s.

In 1999, the DNR, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa and the Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to a short-term stocking effort coupled with a harvest closure and aggressive enforcement. In 2006, the harvest fishery was reopened and has been managed successfully since that time. Upper Red Lake has become a top Minnesota fishing destination in summer and winter.

“We said it years ago and it’s worth repeating — Red Lake walleye fishing today represents a phenomenal conservation success story,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota DNR’s Fisheries section chief. “We have many year classes of mature fish and consistent natural reproduction which enables us to manage this fishery for great fishing now and into the future.” Upper Red Lake fishing regulations are available on the Minnesota DNR fishing regulations page (mndnr.gov/Fishing/Upper-Red-Lake-Regulations.html).

News Release March 30, 2022 "Mille Lacs Lake: One-fish walleye limit set for spring, fall fishing 2022/2023"

"Mille Lacs Lake walleye anglers will have two potential opportunities for harvest during the 2022 open water season.

A one-fish limit will allow Mille Lacs anglers to harvest one walleye, 21 to 23 inches or one walleye longer than 28 inches from Saturday, May 14, 2022 through Monday, May 30, 2022.

(Catch and release fishing for walleye begins on May 31, 2022 and ends on June 30, 2022)

After a summer of catch-and-release fishing with an early July closure to reduce hooking mortality, the one-fish limit is expected to return on Thursday, Sept. 1.

“We must continue to manage state harvest very carefully on Mille Lacs so we can provide as much angling opportunity as prudent while protecting the opportunities for the future,” said Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Two recent year classes show below average numbers of walleye, which means we need to factor in that fewer fish than normal will mature into spawning adults during the next few years.”

While the drops in fall walleye catch rates for the 2018 and 2019 year classes aren’t as dramatic as previous levels that closed walleye harvest on Mille Lacs, they do signal that more conservative walleye harvest regulations may be needed in coming years.

“Our goal for Mille Lacs fishing regulations now and in the future is to offer fishing opportunities while also maintaining the long-term sustainability of the lake’s fish populations,” Parsons said.

After opening weekend (when fishing is allowed 24 hours a day) fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all species. Beginning Saturday, June 4, muskellunge and northern pike anglers using artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches can fish after 10 p.m.

Walleye fishing will be catch-and-release from Wednesday, June 1 through Thursday, June 30. A two-week closure – implemented to reduce hooking mortality — will be in place from Friday, July 1 through Friday, July 15. Catch-and-release walleye fishing will resume on Saturday, July 16 and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 1 through Wednesday, Nov. 30. During this period, anglers may fish from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Season structure depends on many factors

“Our projections make me confident we’ll have fall harvest,” Parsons said. “But predicting fishing pressure, catch rates and weather involves some uncertainty, so we want people to recognize that the fall harvest will depend on how much of the state’s walleye harvest total remains as we approach September.”

The state and the eight Ojibwe bands that have treaty fishing rights have agreed that Mille Lacs Lake can sustain a total walleye harvest of up to 135,000 pounds in 2022, with state anglers harvesting up to 80,300 pounds and a maximum tribal harvest of 54,700 pounds.

The drop from last year’s levels of 87,800 pounds for state anglers and 62,200 pounds for tribal harvest was necessary to account for below-average catches of the 2018 and 2019 year classes in the fall walleye population survey

“Factors can change so we’ll reassess the walleye population come fall,” Parsons said. “Fish in those year classes in question are important for replacing the current mature walleye that are lost to both fishing and natural mortality.”

Mille Lacs Lake has been in a state of change since the 1990s, when the water clarity started to improve. Since then, there has also been warmer water temperatures and the introduction of invasive species such as zebra mussel and spiny water flea.

“The changing lake conditions impact fish populations and we will continue to monitor the lake to determine how these changes will influence fishing opportunities in the future,” Parsons said.

This year’s winter walleye harvest was about 6,800 pounds, less than half of what was expected. Lower catch rates for anglers and poor ice conditions in the early season were responsible. That drop in winter walleye take gave the DNR more flexibility to implement less restrictive open water regulations for 2022.

Even with the drop in winter harvest, a two-week closure during what’s normally one of the hottest times of the summer is needed to remain within the state’s harvest total. As water temperature increases, so does hooking mortality — the tendency for fish to die after being caught and released. Protecting walleye during this vulnerable period can allow for many weeks of harvest during cooler times of the year.

Additional details

The northern pike population on Mille Lacs Lake is healthy and harvest of fish under 30 inches is encouraged for anglers looking for another option to bring home a meal of fish.

To help avoid incidental catch of walleye during the two-week closure in July, fishing for any species with certain kinds of bait will be restricted. Anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge can use sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. But anglers targeting other fish may not use live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, night crawlers, worms, leeches or crayfish."

More information about fishing regulations on Mille Lacs Lake, ongoing DNR management and research, citizen engagement and Mille Lacs area recreation opportunities is available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/MilleLacsLake).

News Release March 2022 "New sunfish regulations in effect on 52 lakes"

"Anglers will find this and other changes in the updated fishing regulations booklet.

Sunfish anglers need to closely check the 2022 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet and signs at water accesses for new sunfish limits in effect on 52 lakes and connected waters starting March 1.

The new regulations lower limits on specific waters as part of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources initiative to protect and improve sunfish sizes. These changes are in response to angler-driven concerns over the declining sizes of sunfish in Minnesota.

“This is the final batch of new sunfish regulations that will be part of the Quality Sunfish Initiative. We’re pleased to be at our overall goal of 200 to 250 lakes with these special regulations,” said Dave Weitzel, Grand Rapids area fisheries supervisor. “We’ve had an impressive amount of public support all along for these regulations. Anglers spoke up that they want large sunfish in our lakes.”

The new regulations modify daily limits on the affected waterbodies. Anglers can keep only the prescribed number of fish per day but can return the next day for another limit if they don’t exceed the statewide inland water possession limit of 20 sunfish per angler. Beginning in 2022, nearly all lakes with special regulations for sunfish will use the same reduced daily limit approach where the statewide possession limit still applies. There are a few exceptions so anglers should read the regulations book carefully.

These regulations are designed with sunfish biology in mind. Sunfish spawn in large nesting colonies during the spring and early summer. Parental male sunfish build and defend nests. Females select a male, lay eggs, and leave the eggs for the male to protect. The largest sunfish often get the best spawning sites. These nest-building male sunfish play an important role in regulating the population’s size structure.

When anglers keep the largest sunfish, the remaining small males don’t need to compete with large males to spawn. With the large males gone, the small males devote less energy to growing, mature and spawn at smaller sizes, and fail to grow to the size preferred by anglers.

Minnesota fishing regulations use sunfish as the generic name for bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, longear, warmouth and their hybrids. More about the Quality Sunfish Initiative is available on the DNR website.

Other New MN Fishing Regulations

Other fishing regulation changes in the 2022 regulations book include removal of an experimental 17-inch minimum length for walleye on Clear Lake in Washington County. The regulation was removed because management objectives were not achieved. The statewide regulation now applies and is expected to perform equally well.

Some of the lakes getting new sunfish limits will also see changes to crappie limits. Eight lakes will have the crappie limit reduced to five — five lakes in the Duluth area and one lake each in the Brainerd, Spicer and Walker areas. Finally, special sunfish regulations were reviewed on Ox Yoke and Sanborn lakes, both in Cass County, and the new regulation will be a five fish daily limit after the 10 fish limit failed to meet management objectives.

The 2022 Minnesota fishing regulations are available online and anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold. The new sunfish regulations are found in the special regulations that begin on page 37 of the booklet."

"The Big List of Dirty Deeds!" February 15, 2022

In my article yesterday (2-14-2022), I wrote, “I got the impression that for 2022, the debate (regarding reducing Minnesota’s walleye bag limit), the personalities and the positions are all essentially the same as they were in 2021. If anything has changed at all, it’s that folks on either side have hardened their positions even more since last year’s debate.”

Arriving by email, reader comments suggested that my assessment wasn’t far off, there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue and I'll share as many as I'm allowed. But because this one is particularly complex, I want to tackle it first and seperately.

On 2-14-2022 Dan Wilm wrote,

"Hey Jeff, Read your site today as well as Dennis Anderson's story in Sunday Strib. I have to totally disagree with what you and Dennis mention, which is that the choice to drop the walleye limit to 4 is not based on scientific evidence, rather a societal one.

"Societal decisions" are like everything else these days: overused and overhyped. As someone who is a mediocre fisherman at best, with a lifetime of experience on the water, as well as a keen observer, I can find no logic in yours or Dennis's assertions. Too many people double and triple limiting a lake when fishing is good, too many wheelhouses where fish are caught, consumed, and limits brought home, too easy to get information on a hot bite and show up at said spot, too much technology=a recipe for disaster. So, it's better to react after a disaster has occurred? That’s the definition of insanity.

We are surrounded by misuse of public lands by motorized land based recreation. Wakeboard boats overpopulate popular lakes in the summertime creating noise and shoreline damage from their huge wakes. Yet nothing, and I mean NOTHING has been done to somewhat rein in these out of control activities.

What you are suggesting is that we stay re-active rather than pro-active. But so often the problem with that assumption is that playing catch-up can be a long and difficult journey with outcomes the natural world can't accomplish.

Ontario has had a 4 fish limit as well as size restrictions for a long time. Proactive. Not reactive.

If you want to avoid "societal decisions" as mentioned, then support many more COs. I fully support the 4 walleye limit. It's got nothing to do with "imposing" our values and everything to do with societies insatiable thirst for destruction. THAT is the problem.” Regards, Dan

A) First off, I’m not sure that defining me as “insane” is the best way to either gain my cooperation or influence my thinking. But since Dan does bring up some valid and oft-cited points, I have chosen to accept that, along with his comments and share them, with permissioin, in un-edited form.

How anybody can make the assertion that my position is not born out of a logical process is mysterious too. But maybe that might be my own fault, I think it’s because I’ve seen all the same arguments so many times that I didn’t take enough time yesterday to lay out the groundwork for my argument.

Over the years, anglers justify the need for reducing walleye bag limits by citing a list of social issues that they believe makes their arguments compelling. Dan’s message touched on most of those issues, so I broke his comments down logically, added a few more that he hadn’t mentioned and formed what I’ll call the big list of dirty deeds.

We are told by Dan, along with others, that the best way to resolve many of these "social issues" is to reduce the legal statewide walleye limit from 6 fish, down to 4 fish. Okay, so let's take an objective look at the list and use logic to find instances where dropping the limit will result in an improvement.

Dirty Deeds, The Big List

• Too many people double and triple limiting a lake when fishing is good.
• Too many wheelhouses where fish are caught, consumed, and limits brought home.
• Too easy to get information on a hot bite. Social media, cell phones, modern technology give anglers unfair advantage.
• Too much technology. Modern gear makes catching fish easier, threatens populations.
• Misuse of public lands by motorized land-based recreation.
• Wakeboard boats overpopulate popular lakes in the summertime creating noise and shoreline damage from their huge wakes.
• Not enough support for more DNR Conservation Officers.
• Reliance on scientific data is reactive, not proactive.
• Increased angling pressure that occurred during the recent pandemic.
• Guides harvest too many fish.

Sometimes the only way to answer a question is with a question. So, here goes; “How will forcing honest, law-abiding citizens into a reduction in walleye bag limits actually result in changing any of the behaviors outlined in the list of “dirty deeds”?

Over-limits, double-dipping and freezer stuffing are already against the law. So is the misuse of public lands, littering and violating noise, navigation and public safety regulations. Unless I’m missing something, dropping the walleye limit won’t change any of that.

What would help, in my opinion, is adding more conservation officers. That one is a great idea because many of the troubles that we face today result from what are already violations of game and fish regulations. So, adding more conservation officers is an idea I can support.

Simply seeing a CO in the field heightens anglers' observance of fish and game regulations, their presence alone serves to reduce over-harvest. So, to the extent that over-harvest is a significant problem on any given lake, this would be a much more efficient way to reduce it. Additionally, the positive side-effects of helping to cut down on other issues like littering, impolite boating behavior and other violations on the water would be icing on the cake.

I’m not a big fan of certain practices that my fellow anglers and boaters engage in either. The way I see it, there are some problems on this list that do need to be addressed. The problem is that I don't see how reducing walleye limits would fix them. So why not turn our attention toward things that might work better. Let’s work together to educate, encourage and be supportive of what is good, and for the good of our sport, discourage behaviors that reflect badly.

To borrow a quote from Superetramp's Crime of the Century album; "Don't arrange to have me sent to no asylum, I'm just as sane as anyone." Whether or not anybody follows my advice, I do try to offer legitimate, thoughtful, honest and yes, logical points of view about issues that relate to the betterment of fishing. I know that opinions vary, and I know too that even if I'm lucky, only a few people are swayed one way or another by any of my personal opinions.

I don’t presume to know you, or how to advise you specifically. But I do have my own simple way of parsing information and figuring out which side of any fence to land on. So, let me pose a hypothetical situation for those few of you who have not yet identified with one group or another.

Let's suppose that there are 2 groups of people courting you to become "a follower". Both groups present you with lots of information and some part of each argument makes sense. Because you like the idea of “doing something” about an issue, you’re contemplating joining one of them, but you’re facing a quandary. Which side is making the most sense, how do you decide which group to throw your support behind?

For me, whenever 1 group suggests that solving a problem requires giving up freedom, but the other side suggests that retaining freedom and resolving problems through education and personal responsibility is the answer, then I’ll choose education and personal responsibility every time. I don't think that's insane at all. — Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

"Socially Based Walleye Regulations — Good Idea, or Slippery Slope?" February 14, 2022

Reducing Minnesota’s statewide walleye bag limit is back in the news for 2022, sort of.

Dennis Anderson’s, FEBRUARY 12, 2022, Star and Tribune column opens with this, “If Minnesota's six-walleye limit isn't hurting anything, why are some legislators and the DNR in favor again this legislative session of cutting the limit from six to four walleyes? Good question.”

Obviously, I’d like you to make your own judgement after you read Anerson's Star & Tribune 2-12-2022 article >> (Makes no scientific sense, but Minnesota DNR, Legislature mull cutting walleye limit from six to four) for yourself. But Anderson, in my opinion, does a good job of straddling the issue, giving both sides fair representation.

On the one hand, fisheries biologists mostly agree that that there is no “scientific reason” for reducing the statewide walleye limit and his article says so. On the other hand, some fishing experts, angling groups and even some DNR Fisheries folks find the idea of engineering the regulations based on “social concerns” appealing, the article says that too.

One sentiment that I was looking for, but couldn’t find though, was any sort of “New News”. After reading once, then re-reading it, I got the impression that for 2022, the debate, the personalities and the positions are all essentially the same as they were in 2021. If anything has changed at all, it’s that folks on either side have hardened their positions even more since last year’s debate.

Another quote from Anderson’s article says, “DNR fisheries chief Brad Parsons acknowledges the lack of scientific justification for a change, but says the proposal reflects a growing feeling among many anglers that four walleyes is a sufficient limit. Thus, rather than a science-based regulation adjustment, Parsons and other supporters of the change say the idea is socially based.”

If by now, the term “socially based” regulation doesn’t scare you, then it probably never will. But for me, the hair standing up on the back of my neck points toward the whole problem with socially based anything. When one group of people gets to decide what “they believe” is good for another group of people, it never ends well. It may seem like a fine idea when you’re on the winning side, but how many of us ever wind up always being on the winning side? Not many, I don't think, eventually the tables turn.

You’re an angler, what do you suppose would be the implications of a powerful and persuasive group of people deciding that fishing itself, in any form, is no longer “socially acceptable”? I know, you're thinking that's crazy talk, lunatic fringe stuff. But that’s just one point of view that I tried on for size in an internet search. I typed in the phrase "group seeks to ban fishing" and in .51 seconds, received almost 39 MILLION results; go ahead, try it yourself.

If you love fishing, hunting, trapping, shooting, whatever; your days are already numbered. As a group, the last thing we need is to be arguing among ourselves about which privileges are socially acceptable to lose.

If there are problems with fish limits, then let’s find out using scientific data and form plans based on that. In the meantime, I don’t think we should be so quick to judge what our fellow anglers do. We all have special circumstances that push us in one direction or another. Personally, I could live with a reduced limit, but I have easy access to good fishing, I don’t need to catch 6 fish. Some folks travel long distances though, and others only fish a time or two each season, I don’t think allowing them to go home with 6 fish is asking too much.

So, I’m choosing to follow the advice of my favorite nephew and I wouldn’t mind if everybody did. “Watch Your Own Bobber”. If you’re happy with a reduced possession limit, then nobody’s stopping you, go ahead and reduce yours, voluntarily. And if you love having a few walleyes to share with your friends and family, you won’t get any argument from me, I won’t be judging you. I think we should all enjoy them, while we still can.

Of course, that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. — Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

News Release February 8, 2022 "DNR seeks comments on Duluth area fisheries management plans"

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites anglers and others interested in fisheries management in the Duluth area to comment on fisheries management plans for several waterbodies through March 15, 2022.

The DNR uses fisheries management plans to identify specific management activities planned for designated lakes and streams over the next five to 20 years. The plans include background information such as water chemistry characteristics, water temperature information, species presence, stocking, regulations, and historic catch rates from previous fisheries surveys.

The plans also can identify biological and social factors that might limit a fishery’s potential and seek to address these limiting factors by prescribing science-based management tools when biologically, fiscally, and socially appropriate.

Comments and suggestions from the public are important for planning and evaluating the success of activities laid out in management plans.

Fisheries information and management activities are being updated for the following lakes and streams in Carlton County.

Carlton County waters:

• Hanging Horn Lake – updated plan focusing on management of naturally reproduced walleye and cisco and discontinuing unsuccessful trout stocking.
• Little Net River – initial management plan including proposal to introduce brook trout to specific reaches of the river.
• Red River – initial management plan including proposal to introduce brook trout.
  
  Anyone can review the current plans for waters in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information at the DNR’s Duluth area fisheries office, 5351 N. Shore Drive in Duluth, by making an in-person appointment. People can call 218-302-3266 or email Deserae Hendrickson (deserae.hendrickson@state.mn.us) to make an appointment, request a copy of a plan or submit comments on a plan.

Comments and suggestions for managing other lakes and streams in the Duluth work area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are due for review. Contact: Deserae Hendrickson, Duluth Area Fisheries manager, 218-302-3266.

The draft plan is also available on the DNR Duluth area fisheries page (mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries/duluth/index.html).

News Release February 15, 2022 ""

"Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is this Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 through Monday, Jan. 17, 2022

During the weekend, Minnesota residents can go ice fishing for free if they are fishing with a child 15 years old or younger. Minnesotans 15 years old or younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year.

“Ice fishing is lots of fun for kids and adults alike. There’s nothing quite like making your way onto a frozen lake, drilling a hole through the ice and catching fish,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “If you’re interested in giving ice fishing a try, learning the basics is really doable. We have helpful information on our website to get you started.”

Check the DNR’s learn to ice fish page (dnr.state.mn.us/gofishing/learn-ice-fish.html) for more information about ice fishing.

Additionally, anyone interested in learning about ice fishing for panfish is invited to a free DNR webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at noon. Scott Mackenthun, a DNR area fisheries supervisor, will discuss tips and techniques anglers can use to have fun catching sunfish, crappie and perch. Registration is required. More information, including how to register, is available on the DNR outdoor skills and stewardship page (dnr.state.mn.us/fishwildlife/outreach).

Ice conditions vary and there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. Always check local ice conditions before heading out to a lake or river. Visit the DNR ice safety page (mndnr.gov/icesafety) for ice safety guidelines."

News Release December 6, 2021 "NEW Minnesota Muskie Record Set On Lake Mille Lacs"

"An angler caught a muskellunge weighing 55 pounds, 14 ounces, from Mille Lacs Lake that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has certified as a weight-based state record. The previous record was a 54-pound muskie caught from Lake Winnibigoshish in 1957. Although news of the fish has spread quickly in the news and social media, a record is not official until the certification process is complete.

Nolan Sprengeler caught the muskie on Nov. 22, with friends Kevin Kray and Zack Skoglund. Their plan was to fish the afternoon until after moonrise, which was about 8 p.m. After some delay due to low water and frozen water at accesses, they eventually broke some ice to get Sprengeler’s boat in the water after sunset.

“On our last spot of the evening at about 9 p.m., I felt a tap on the end of my line. I fought the fish to the boat and Kevin Kray netted it for me. The fish measured 57.75 inches by 29 inches,” Sprengeler said. “After trying to revive the fish for about an hour we realized she wasn’t going to make it. We made the decision to bring the fish in to get weighed on a certified scale.”

Sprengeler brought the fish to be weighed on a certified scale with witnesses the next morning, had it identified at a DNR Fisheries office, and then dropped off his catch with a taxidermist.

The DNR announces new state records in news releases, on social media and on the DNR website. Find current records and guidelines for each type of state record at mndnr.gov/recordfish." 200

News Release November 3, 2021 "Lake Mille Lacs, Upper Red Lake Winter Walleye Regulations Announced"

"Ice anglers on Mille Lacs and Upper Red lakes can harvest walleye on both lakes this winter season.

A four-walleye bag limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed, went into effect on Upper Red Lake on Monday, Nov. 1.

Effective Wednesday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, winter anglers on Mille Lacs may keep one walleye between 21-23 inches or one fish longer than 28 inches.

The new regulation on Upper Red increases the possession limit from the three-fish limit that was in place during the 2020-2021 winter season and 2021 open water season, when mature walleye were lower in abundance. Results of this fall’s walleye population assessment showed a wide range of sizes with an abundance of mature spawning walleye, which allowed the more generous bag limit while also creating conditions that are favorable for the survival of upcoming walleye year classes.

This is the sixth consecutive year of winter walleye harvest on Mille Lacs, where winter regulations are set after completion of the annual fall netting assessment. Results from 2021 showed that the walleye population has declined from recent years but remains above population lows seen from 2012 to 2016.

Mille Lacs Lake winter regulations also reduce the possession limit for cisco (tullibee) from 10 to five and forbid the harvest of burbot (eelpout).

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s website offers regulation Information on both lakes - Upper Red Lake and Mille Lacs Lake." 1103 200 300

News Release April 15, 2021 "Stream trout fishing opens statewide on April 17, 2021"

"Minnesota’s popular warm weather stream trout season opens Saturday, April 17, 2021 with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 17, 2021 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.

Minnesota has some excellent trout fishing, and anglers help pay for trout habitat and access improvements with their fishing licenses and trout stamps. Anglers fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license.

Use new DNR StreamFinder tool to find places to fish. Whether you’re new to the sport or an experienced trout angler, the DNR has new information on Minnesota’s trout streams and lakes available on its website.

Modeled after the DNR’s popular LakeFinder tool, StreamFinder provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. Anglers also will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota's six trout fishing regions. More details: Go to the >> MN DNR Trout Fishing Page

Wired2Fish April 14, 2021 "How to Install a Fish Finder | Pro Tips and Tricks for All Models"

"Installing a fish finder is a manageable DIY job as long as you have a little know-how and some essential tools. And even if you're not up for the job, knowing what a proper installation looks like allows you to assess and troubleshoot your setup. Professional boat rigger Andy Kratochvil of Fishlectronics walks us through a detailed step-by-step fish finder installation covering everything from the initial unboxing and parts layout, transducer placement and mounting, to wiring up the head unit.

Although the featured graph is a Humminbird SOLIX, Andy's tips and tricks are aimed squarely at making your install smooth and technically correct regardless of your fish finder's make, model, new or used. He starts by ..." View Video and Learn More >> How to Install a Fish Finder | Pro Tips and Tricks for All Models

News Release March 24, 2021 "Early and late season walleye harvest to be allowed on Mille Lacs in 2021"

Early-season walleye anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep one walleye 21-23 inches long or one longer than 28 inches. Summer will bring catch-and-release walleye fishing, with a mid-season closure, before the potential for a one-fish limit returns in the fall.

“Lower walleye harvest this winter is allowing us to offer some open-water walleye harvest this year,” said Brad Parsons, fisheries section manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We’re glad Mille Lacs anglers will have the chance to keep a walleye on opening weekend and Memorial Day weekend — two of the most popular times to fish during the year. We also hope to be able to allow some harvest this fall.”

The one-fish walleye limit will be in place from Saturday, May 15, through Monday, May 31. Walleye fishing will be catch-and-release from Tuesday, June 1, through Wednesday, June 30. A two-week closure — implemented to reduce hooking mortality — will be in place from Thursday, July 1, through Thursday, July 15. Catch-and-release walleye fishing will resume on Friday, July 16, and continue through Wednesday, Sept. 15.

After opening weekend, fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all species. Beginning Saturday, June 5, muskellunge and northern pike anglers using artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches can fish after 10 p.m.

The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 16, through Tuesday, Nov. 30. During the late season, the DNR also will allow anglers to fish from 6 a.m. to midnight.

“Our projections strongly suggest that fall harvest can occur,” Parsons said. “However, predicting fishing pressure, catch rates and weather involves some uncertainty so we want people to recognize that the fall harvest will depend on how much of the state’s 2021 walleye allocation remains as we approach September. As always, we will monitor the factors that determine the state’s walleye take throughout the open water season.”

The state and the eight Chippewa bands that have treaty fishing rights agreed Mille Lacs could sustain a state harvest of up to 87,800 pounds of walleye this year, unchanged from 2020. During the 2020 season, state-licensed anglers took 66,748 pounds and tribal fishing took 33,113 pounds.

This year’s winter walleye harvest was about 16,000 pounds, about half of what it was in 2020. Lower catch rates for anglers, combined with fewer people fishing, caused harvest to return to normal levels after a big spike last year. That drop in walleye take gave the DNR more flexibility to implement a one-fish limit during the early season and plan one for the late season.

Even with the drop in winter harvest, a two-week closure during what’s normally one of the hottest times of the summer remains necessary to protect walleye. As water temperature increases, so does hooking mortality — the tendency for fish to die after being caught and released. Protecting walleye during this vulnerable period can allow for many weeks of harvest during cooler times of the year.

To help avoid incidental catch of walleye during the two-week closure, fishing for any species with certain kinds of bait will be restricted. Anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge can use sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. But anglers targeting other fish may not use live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, night crawlers, worms, leeches or crayfish.

“Our goal with these regulations is to meet the state’s treaty obligations while also providing the best possible experience for anglers, recognizing that fishing and the anglers it brings are economically important to the Mille Lacs Lake area,” Parsons said.

More information about fishing regulations on Mille Lacs Lake, ongoing DNR management and research, citizen engagement, and Mille Lacs-area recreation opportunities is available on the DNR website.

News Release March 3, 2021 New sunfish regulations in effect on nearly 100 waters

Sunfish anglers will need to closely check the 2021 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet and signs at water accesses for new sunfish limits that are now in effect on 94 waters.

The new regulations lower limits on specific waters as part of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources initiative to protect and improve sunfish sizes. These changes are in response to angler-driven concerns over the declining sizes of sunfish in Minnesota.

“Robust public input and support helped us move forward with the Quality Sunfish Initiative. We had more than 3,700 comments and over 85% of them were in favor of trying to improve sunfish sizes,” said Dave Weitzel, Grand Rapids area fisheries supervisor. “It’s clear Minnesota anglers treasure sunfish and want to make sure we have lots of large sunfish in our lakes.”

The new regulations only modify daily limits on the affected waterbodies. Anglers can only keep the prescribed number of fish per day from the water but can return the next day for another limit as long as they don’t exceed the statewide inland water possession limit of 20 sunfish per angler.

The new sunfish regulations only include inland waters of Minnesota. Specifically, 44 waters will have a new daily limit of five sunfish, 31 will have a limit of 10 sunfish, 17 will have a limit of five sunfish and five crappie, and two will have a limit of 10 sunfish and five crappies.

In addition to the new waters, there are 57 waters that previously had reduced limits for sunfish and these regulations remain in effect.

“We’ve evaluated previous special sunfish regulations and found that reducing harvest can indeed produce large sunfish,” Weitzel said. “Sunfish grow slowly—about an inch per year—so a large sunfish can be more than a decade old. It’s critical to protect these large fish from excessive harvest because they aren’t easily replaced.”

Sunfish spawn in large nesting colonies during the spring and early summer. Parental male sunfish build and defend nests. Females will select a male, lay eggs, and leave the eggs for the male to protect and fan with his fins. These nest-building male sunfish play an important role in repopulation, with the largest sunfish often getting the best spawning sites.

When anglers keep the largest sunfish, the remaining small males don’t need to compete with larger males to spawn. Once the larger males are gone, the smaller males devote less energy to growing. Instead, they devote energy to spawning at younger ages and smaller sizes.

Minnesota fishing regulations use sunfish as the generic name for bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, longear, warmouth and their hybrids. More about sunfish biology and the Quality Sunfish Initiative is available on the DNR website.

Other new regulations

Other fishing regulation changes in the 2021 regulations book include new experimental regulations on Island Lake Reservoir near Duluth. On this lake, which has abundant but very small walleye, fisheries managers aim to increase the size of walleye by increasing the possession limit and applying a protective slot limit.

New experimental lake trout regulations also are being implemented in Yawkey, Sagamore, Pennington and Mahnomen lakes. These mine pit lakes in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area have the potential to support naturally reproducing lake trout populations. Anglers there will be limited to harvesting one lake trout, which must be more than 20 inches, from each water.

Experimental regulations mean that the regulation is temporary. Fisheries managers must then evaluate the regulation to determine whether it had the intended effect, usually after 10 years.

The 2021 Minnesota fishing regulations are available online and anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold. The new sunfish regulations are found in the special regulations that begin on page 38 of the booklet.

March 2020 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Include Notable Changes For Mississippi River Border Waters

Anglers will find a variety of changes in the 2020 Minnesota fishing regulations booklet, including new possession and length limits on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters of the Mississippi River. This is the first comprehensive update of regulations on the Mississippi River border waters in nearly 70 years.

The new border waters possession and length limits for most gamefish species went into effect March 1, and were developed based on decades of biological data, as well as substantial public input during 2018 and 2019.

“We've heard positive feedback about the changes from anglers who care a great deal about sustaining the high quality fish populations and the fishing opportunities on these Mississippi River border waters,” said Kevin Stauffer, the Department of Natural Resources area fisheries supervisor in Lake City.

The new regulations for the Mississippi River border waters and Lake Pepin include lower possession limits, and changes to some length limits, for walleye and sauger, northern pike, channel and flathead catfish, shovelnose sturgeon, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, and white and yellow bass.

The changes are proactive measures that will help both states manage the effects that changing river conditions, invasive species and increased angling effectiveness have on fish. Wisconsin has approved identical regulations that will go into effect April 1. Some examples include:

• Walleye and sauger limit has decreased from 6 to 4.
• Crappie, sunfish, and yellow perch limit has decreased from 25 to 15 each.
• White and yellow bass limit has decreased from 25 to 10.
  

With the exception of minimum size limits for bass (14 inches) and walleye (15 inches) implemented in 1990, possession and size restrictions for gamefish on the Minnesota and Wisconsin border waters of the Mississippi River had been largely unchanged for the last seven decades.

Special regulations modified for several Minnesota lakes

• The 17-26 inch protected slot limit for walleye has changed to a 20-24 inch protected slot with only one over 24 inches allowed, on the following Itasca County lakes: Moose, Split Hand, Swan and Trout.
• The 40 inch minimum length limit for northern pike in Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Crow Wing lakes (Hubbard County) and Mitchell Lake (Crow Wing County) has changed to a 24-36 inch protected slot, with only one over 36 inches allowed and a possession limit of three.
• The 26-44 inch protected slot limit for northern pike on Upper Red Lake has changed to a 30-40 inch protected slot, with only one over 40 inches allowed and a possession limit of three.
• The catch and release regulations for largemouth bass on Turtle Lake (Ramsey County) have changed to a 14-20 inch protected slot, with only one over 20 inches allowed.
• The 12-20 inch protected slot limit for smallmouth bass on Turtle Lake (Itasca County) has changed to a 14-20 inch protected slot, with only one over 20 inches allowed.
  New special regulations
• The possession limits for walleye on Green Lake (Kandiyohi County), Horseshoe and Minnewawa lakes (Aitkin County) have been reduced to three.
• The possession limit for black crappie in Mound Lake (Todd County) has been reduced to five.
  

Dropped Special Regulations

• Special regulations for northern pike have been dropped on the following lakes: Ada (Cass County), Big (Beltrami County), Big Carnelian (Washington County), Elephant (St. Louis County), Elk (Clearwater County), Eunice (Becker County), Little Cascade (Cook County), Loon (Cook County), Maud (Becker County), Prairie (St. Louis County), Ten Mile (Cass County).
• Special regulations for muskellunge on Elk Lake (Clearwater County) have been dropped.
• The 17-26 inch protected slot limit for walleye on Deer, Battle and Pickerel lakes in Itasca County have been dropped.

The new 2020 Minnesota fishing regulations are available online and anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold.