DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 21, 2005
Media contact: Henry Drewes, northwest region fisheries manager, (218) 755-3644.
Walleye angling to reopen on Red Lake
For the first time since 1999, anglers in 2006 will catch and keep walleyes on Upper Red Lake as a result of what today DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam said is “a remarkable example of sport fish restoration success.”
In today’s announcement, he said, “walleye are once again abundant in Upper Red Lake, and for now we will manage this fragile fishery conservatively to protect against over harvest.”
When the fishing season opens May 13 on Upper Red Lake, anglers will be allowed to keep two walleye, but must release all walleye from 17 through 26 inches, with one trophy larger than 26 inches allowed.
>From the fishing opener through Nov. 30, the total walleye harvest will be limited to 108,000 pounds. This estimate will be based on DNR creel surveys. If the harvest cap is reached, walleye angling will be prohibited until Dec. 1, when a winter harvest level will be set. Walleye fishing has been banned on Upper Red Lake since 1999 when it was closed due to low walleye populations.
“So far, this recovery is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Henry Drewes DNR regional fisheries manager in Bemidji. “We are well on the way, but full recovery won’t occur until the lakes contain many different year classes of mature fish.”
Shotley Brook from Highway 72 west to Upper Red Lake and Tamarack River from the Beltrami County Line west to Red Lake will be included in the regulations.
Over harvest caused the Red Lake walleye population to collapse in the 1990s. In 1999, the DNR, the Red Lake Band and the Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to a short-term stocking effort coupled with a harvest closure and aggressive enforcement.
“Now that we have re-established an abundant walleye population, our focus has shifted to working on a sustainable, collaborative management approach that protects this walleye population from being over harvested once again,” said Drewes.
DNR and the Red Lake Tribe have developed a management plan to prevent future over harvest. Walleye regulations were developed in cooperation with a Citizen’s Advisory Committee comprised of local, regional and statewide angling and business interests.
In addition, regulations aimed at maintaining a quality northern pike fishery on Upper Red Lake will also take effect this year. Anglers will be allowed to keep three northern pike, but must release all northern pike from 26 though 40 inches, with one trophy larger than 40 inches.
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