2011 Regs Announced

Walleye regs remain unchanged for 2011.

Minnesota DNR Press Release

No change in Mille Lacs walleye slot, northern pike regulation relaxed

(Released March 9, 2011)

Anglers who fish Lake Mille Lacs will need to follow the same walleye regulations as in 2010, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The season will open Saturday, May 14, with a regulation that will allow anglers to keep up to four walleyes less than 18 inches, which may include one trophy more than 28 inches. Anglers must release all walleyes from 18 to 28 inches.

Starting July 15, if angler harvest is low enough to allow it, anglers may be allowed to keep walleyes up to 20 inches with one trophy more than 28 inches in the four fish limit. All walleyes from 20 to 28 inches would then need to be released.

The slot would revert to four walleyes up to 18 inches with one more than 28 inches in the four fish limit on Dec. 1. Any regulation changes would be posted at the accesses as well as on the DNR website.

“The walleye regulation is the same as last year and should provide anglers with ample opportunities to harvest some fish, very similar to last season,” said Dirk Peterson, DNR Fisheries chief. “The angling this winter has been pretty decent; anglers harvested nearly 24,000 pounds of walleye, which suggests a similarly decent bite for the open water season.”

For northern pike, the regulation will be a protected slot from 27 to 40 inches, with one trophy more than 40 inches allowed in the standard three fish possession limit. This regulation is a change from the 24- to 36-inch slot limit that has been in effect since 2002.

The new pike regulation is in response to the last several years of minimal angler harvest, an increase in abundance of northern pike, and a desire to maximize the trophy potential of this fast-growing population of pike. Mille Lacs pike regularly grow to sizes in excess of 40 inches. The northern pike regulation printed in the 2011 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet does not reflect this change but is correct in the online version.

“The new pike regulation increases anglers’ opportunities to harvest some of the smaller fish, while increasing the chances of being able to catch a true trophy northern pike,” said Peterson.

The combination of strong 2007 and 2008 year classes of walleye, now mostly 13-16 inches, will provide for a decent catch of eating sized walleyes for anglers to keep, while numerous year classes of older fish, now more than 18 inches, will provide for excellent catch and release experiences.

“With the rebounding of the Mille Lacs tullibee population in recent years, the larger fish have filled out and are now in very healthy condition,” Peterson said.

Last year, anglers caught more than 800,000 pounds of walleye and harvested 271,000 pounds (including 44,000 pounds of hooking mortality) under the same slot limit.

“These regulations continue to protect the long-term health of the fishery, allow excellent opportunity for anglers, and safeguard economic interests,” Peterson said. “The decision to maintain the same walleye regulation was made based on the best biological data as well as input from anglers and resort owners.”

-J.

Thank you!
every year I get so p1ssed about the limit size when I know thousands of pounds will be harvested because of, hum why is it again

This slot worked pretty well last year… I rarely keep a fish over 18″ anyway but being able to keep up to 20″ will help boost tournament weights after the 15th.

The only thing that really doesn’t make sense to me is why do they tighten the slot up again starting December 1st? With less fishermen and less aggressive fish probably only 5% of total harvest comes from the winter anyway.

Actually, the number is a little over 10%. But agree, still on the low side.

Here is the creel report for the latest data available. It’s an intesting read if you have a few minutes:

Mille Lacs Creel Report – 2009

-J.

Great link Jon. It’s neat to look back at past years and see the ups and downs of angling hours and catch rates.

I wonder how all those graphs would look had the netting not been legalized? We’ll never know now will we.

How, in this age of equal rights for all, and handouts, and political correctness and etc, etc, etc….. does this netting continue? It really befuddles me. How does one race have rights over another in 2011?

Now some will say that equal rights are a farce, their skin will be purple, black, yellow, red, and white. And now, with my white, Scandinavian skin, I will say it too. I’m not being treated fairly. Please hand me something and make it right, and make the indians stop netting my beloved lake.

There, I said it, I’m a victim. A victim of Indian racism and greed. The Indians (or “Native Americans”) are infringing on my God given right to harvest 21″ walleyes on Mille Lacs Lake. My ancestors did it, why can’t I? Because I’m not the right kind of indian? I’m as “native” as anyone that walks this great country of ours.

And why oh why oh why oh why are they allowed to do this in the spring? When those fish are full of this years walleyes? When the fish are at their absolute max vulnerablilty for the year? Why? I’ll answer, because the indians are LAZY. Not lazy by nature, but lazy about “getting their fish”. It is assinine to do this, and any sane minded person wouldn’t, even in my most desperate moment would I lower myself to taking any kind of game by such means, at that time of year. But, because it is their “right” bestowed upon them by our wonderful goverment, they choose to do it. Again, why?

Because of long standing netting traditions? Bull Sh9t. It’s greed, and rubbing the “white mans” face in the fact that they can do something “we” can’t. (See illegal dumping and wanton waste 2010 on property around Mille Lacs) Please, someone explain to me how tradition has anything to do with this.

I’ll jump off my box now, been holding that in for quite a while. I don’t normally agree with much that either of the Fellegy’s have to say, but I ask that you support Steve and Joe in their battle against this insanity.

Here’s to a great Mille Lacs in 2011 (even with the hole that will be dug for it by netting)

Without wax, Adam

P.S. I’m really not asking for answers to any of my questions. The real answers need to come from our elected officials, who will undoubtedly bury their heads in the north end sand, and the E/W rocks, and the mid lake mud…… AGAIN in 2011. I’ll be labeled as a racist I’m sure by our netting friends, and some others…. – All I have to say to that is….. Join the club.

MASTERPIECE!!!!!