Mille Lacs 2016-2017 Winter Regulations

Mille Lacs Lake to be open for winter fishing season

November 3, 2016

Winter fishing limits 1 walleye, 5 northern pike per angler

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources today announced that the winter walleye regulation will allow anglers to keep one walleye between 19 and 21 inches or one longer than 28 inches.

The 2016-17 winter regulation continues last winter’s one fish limit but moves the harvest slot up slightly from last year’s 18 to 20 inches.

The winter walleye season begins Thursday, Dec. 1, and extends through Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.

Tribal and DNR biologists met Nov. 1 to evaluate the status of the walleye population following the completion of the 2015-2016 fishing season. The key conservation goal of conserving the abundant 2013 year class was achieved, with minimal fishing mortality occurring during the past year and key population benchmarks successfully met. Those factors combined to support a modest winter harvest for Mille Lacs Lake walleye.

“The winter season regulation enables Mille Lacs anglers to catch and keep walleye while providing necessary fish conservation and support to the Mille Lacs area economy,” said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries chief.

“This regulation allows continued protection of walleye in Mille Lacs’ abundant 2013 year class, which are the lake’s future spawners,” Pereira said.

Northern pike will provide anglers and darkhouse spearers with additional opportunity to harvest fish on Mille Lacs this winter. Like last winter, ice anglers and spearers can keep up to five fish with one longer than 30 inches. However, in order to keep the one northern pike longer than 30 inches, anglers and spearers must have caught or speared two northern pike shorter than 30 inches and have both smaller fish in immediate possession.

The pike regulation goes into effect on Dec. 1. It continues through Sunday, March 26, 2017, for angling and Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 for spearing.

For now, bass regulations will remain the same. But on the heels of a very successful Toyota Angler of the Year tournament and the increased attention it has focused on Mille Lacs’ world-class smallmouth, discussions with the Mille Lacs advisory committee will be ongoing to determine if changes may be warranted for the open water bass season.

More information about Mille Lacs Lake management is available on the DNR website at http://www.mndnr.gov/millelacslake.

This should get exciting. After ignoring the quota closure, I know many on this forum thought the best case for this winter would be that the lake would be catch and release walleye only.

But keeping one, that is an interesting. I think its good, but I wonder how the tribe feels and if the DNR had negotiate with a larger quota on spring netting numbers for 2017?

The SAGA CONTINUES!

Fair for everyone and helps keep the resorts head’s above water (I will add that there are not a ton of 19″-21″ fish in that lake but it helps. The 2013′ fish are maybe 15″-16″ I would think…)….RR

Fine by me, as RR pointed out there aren’t a ton of 19-21 or 28+ fish in the lake, so basically a C & R season imo. However, I’m sure the harvest #’s will disagree…

Sounds good to me! Wont see me keeping any fish, but dont have a problem with someone who wants to keep a couple.

I agree there isn’t many fish in that 2″ slot. But, I know there are a few. Last year we had 8 weekends in the hard house and caught 7 in that 18″-20″ slot. I really just want to get back out on the hard water and hear that rattle reel jingle away. The 2013 year class should keep them going all night long this year. Might even have to reel them up to get some sleep!!! One can hope anyways.

sktrwx2200 wrote:

but dont have a problem with someone who wants to keep a couple.

I do. A couple would be illegal.

Just kidding. I knew what you meant.

Can I be the first to criticize from my biologists armchair?

First and foremost I am thrilled that there’s a season at all.

I have read that the 18-24″ fish are the most effective spawners. They’ve essentially only targeted the most effective spawners for harvest.

Furthermore they still seem to be trying to preserve the 2013 year class, the most abundant class in the lake. Isn’t that setting things up for another boom and crash?

What happens to that class when the reach 24″? Are the going to continue to protect them?

Please let me end by saying that my confidence in my concerns above are somewhat low, but worth asking. I’m kinda curious if I’m alone on this idea.

biggill wrote:

I have read that the 18-24″ fish are the most effective spawners. They’ve essentially only targeted the most effective spawners for harvest.

Furthermore they still seem to be trying to preserve the 2013 year class, the most abundant class in the lake. Isn’t that setting things up for another boom and crash?

What happens to that class when the reach 24″? Are the going to continue to protect them?

I have been wondering this question since they started protecting this year class.. what do they plan to do the next 5 years? I believe we’ll be right back where they are now. Big boom happening now, crash to come after they continue to protect the most abundant year class this lake has seen in 10 years. I really wouldn’t mind a minimum length, but that’s another topic… Either way, I’m happy there is a season at all!

IceNEyes1986 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>biggill wrote:</div>

I have read that the 18-24″ fish are the most effective spawners. They’ve essentially only targeted the most effective spawners for harvest.

Furthermore they still seem to be trying to preserve the 2013 year class, the most abundant class in the lake. Isn’t that setting things up for another boom and crash?

What happens to that class when the reach 24″? Are the going to continue to protect them?

I have been wondering this question since they started protecting this year class.. what do they plan to do the next 5 years? I believe we’ll be right back where they are now. Big boom happening now, crash to come after they continue to protect the most abundant year class this lake has seen in 10 years. I really wouldn’t mind a minimum length, but that’s another topic… Either way, I’m happy there is a season at all!

Mark me as a 3rd person to wonder about protecting the 2013 year class. I’m sure their hope is now the 2013 class is spawning and could/should provide a good 2-4 years of good spawning numbers and then those fish will spawn etc.