Here is the press release from the MN DNR. What a bunch of BS…. 
High angling pressure, catch rates combine to close Mille Lacs walleye fishing
August 26, 2019
Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake will close Friday, Sept. 6, so state anglers do not exceed a safe walleye harvest level.
“We’re glad anglers had the opportunity to harvest walleye in May and fish for walleye through much of the open water season,” said Brad Parsons, fisheries chief for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Because angling pressure and walleye catch rates were high, the coming closure is necessary to stay within established limits.”
High angling pressure and catch rates in July and August when water temperatures were at their warmest increased hooking mortality, resulting in a larger-than-expected walleye kill. Hooking mortality, which is more likely as water temperatures warm, occurs when a fish is caught and returned to the water but dies anyway.
The state of Minnesota and Ojibwe tribal authorities with fishing rights on Mille Lacs agreed on a 2019 safe harvest level of 87,800 pounds for state anglers and 62,200 pounds for tribal fishing.
“Mille Lacs Lake walleye regulations allowed some harvest this year but it’s still important to proceed with caution to ensure continued recovery of the lake’s walleye,” Parsons said. “The restrictive regulations we enacted in previous years protected young walleye, allowing the population to increase to a number not observed since before 2007. Continuing to manage the Mille Lacs walleye fishery for recovery will allow us to provide good angling opportunities in the future.”
Starting Sept. 6 at 12:01 a.m., anglers will not be able to target walleye when fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. Anglers may fish for other species and use live bait.
Walleye regulations for the winter of 2019-2020 on Mille Lacs Lake will be announced in November after data from fall walleye assessments are available. Winter regulations become effective on Sunday, Dec. 1.
Find more information on Mille Lacs Lake at mndnr.gov/millelacslake.
Has there been one confirmed case of someone getting a ticket for fishing for walleye during a closure?
Has there been one confirmed case of someone getting a ticket for fishing for walleye during a closure?
I have been checked out there during a walleye closure. They checked all my gear and made sure I didn’t have any live bait. I was bass fishing so I had all artificial lures. So no, I did not receive a citation, but I was definitely checked. This was in 2017.
So what is off limits as far as what I can use for fishing smallies? It says you can still use live bait which will inevitably catch you a walleye on Mille lacs. Obviously a guy pulling spinners out on the flats isn’t fishing for smallies or pike but where is the line drawn?
IF you are fishing for bass, you are fishing for bass. Don’t give it a second thought. If you are catching walleye one after another while fishing for bass, move to a different spot.
The closure in addition to all of the confusion it creates is a real kick in the nuts for the Mille Lacs area resorts and businesses…. Dam shame.
-J.
IF you are fishing for bass, you are fishing for bass. Don’t give it a second thought. If you are catching walleye one after another while fishing for bass, move to a different spot.
The closure in addition to all of the confusion it creates is a real kick in the nuts for the Mille Lacs area resorts and businesses…. Dam shame.
-J.
The problem is you have to weed through 10 walleyes to catch a stinking bass!
I believe the rule is only live bait suckers that are 8 inches or longer intended while targeting pike/muskie. That has been the rule during past closures and I would expect that to be the rule again.
I believe the rule is only live bait suckers that are 8 inches or longer intended while targeting pike/muskie. That has been the rule during past closures and I would expect that to be the rule again.
This is right from the MN DNR website:
Walleye fishing to close Friday, Sept. 6
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, anglers may not target walleye when fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. Anglers may fish for other species and use live bait. This restriction remains in place through Saturday, Nov. 30.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/millelacs.html
-J.
I wonder how many pound of Tribal summer walleye were counted against our quota!
I believe the rule is only live bait suckers that are 8 inches or longer intended while targeting pike/muskie. That has been the rule during past closures and I would expect that to be the rule again.
Nope that’s the night ban.
Would’ve thought with over paying the natives by 20 plus million dollars some things would go in favor of the people. Nope! We’ll keep getting screwed with the people in power.
That sucks for sure. Such a great fishery. Luckily I enjoy the small mouth more then the eyes and they have been on fire.
Sounds like a good time to put the boat to bed and go hunting. But yeah Jon, it’s total BS!!
What an embarrassment for the DNR, shameful, but we had a choice at the last governor’s election and missed the opportunity.
What an embarrassment for the DNR, shameful, but we had a choice at the last governor’s election and missed the opportunity.
What an embarrassment for the DNR, shameful, but we had a choice at the last governor’s election and missed the opportunity.
You couldn’t have cast a vote that wasn’t already paid for. It wouldn’t matter who you voted for.
The DNR has there hands tied,its politics, treaty rights, no one has the guts to stand up. Trump could stop this insanity, at the will of the president Our Lt Gov Flanagan is a member of the white earth tribe, and I guess we all know where she stands. The Mille Lacs tribe is now in the processs of reclaiming property in Isle, if successful will go off the tax rolls. Madness
Specifically in regards to fishing, I think this is really just an attempt to lower pressure for the remainder of the year. Not that there is really much fall pressure anyway, not I’m not sure what will actually accomplish.
Smallies and walleyes are much in the same area and so I think you are fine to continue to fish as long as nothing is in the livewell. The mudflats would be the one exception, but otherwise I’d pretty much think any tactic anywhere else on the lake is still fair game.
But yes… all the other political BS is the same. I would LOVE to see this lake managed by the DNR and zero tribal authority. Oh and stop the nets during the spawn wouldn’t that be great.
I try to stay out of these discussions, but I cannot resist. To me the closure means almost nothing. As of this past weekend the Fish (Walleye and SMB) were more than willing to bite on the reefs up shallow. It was a windy weekend but I got out on Saturday for 3 hours and landed ~25 fish probably 60% SMB and 40% Walleye, In my 5 years fishing ML that has been a consistent pattern past Labor Day, it just seems to have started slightly earlier this year. Since the DNR Clearly says live bait is allowed I cannot see where this is really going to change anything. Now if they could just keep the wind under control.
But yes… all the other political BS is the same. I would LOVE to see this lake managed by the DNR and zero tribal authority. Oh and stop the nets during the spawn wouldn’t that be great.
x1000
They aren’t going to be writing you a ticket regardless of where you fish, how you fish or how many <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleyes you ‘accidently’ catch so long as you don’t say you are walleye fishing or have a walleye in the livewell. From a legal stand point this means nothing unless you admit guilt, although I am sure most people will adhere to the rule.
As a CO once told me prior to the regular opener, ‘I can’t give someone a ticket for being a bad fisherman’. This was in regards to a guy fishing with baits that were clearly not for panfish or rough fish. CO asked him what he was targeting and he said crappie. You can’t prove intent.
For the record, I won’t be fishing walleyes until ice. I just find it funny people think fishing the mudflats is going to get you a ticket.
I agree. I don’t think fishing the flats will get you a ticket, all things being equal it might get you unwanted questions from a CO, I just don’t fish the mud flats that time of year.
Glad to have washed my hands of that drama disaster they call Mille Lacs. Just a political $hitshow is all it is.
Do I need a different bobber on now?
I’m not surprised. I would have been more surprised had it stayed open.
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Be interesting to hear what stance MN Fish will have on this.
DNR=damn near retarded.
Be interesting to hear what stance MN Fish will have on this.
They won’t touch it. They don’t have the balls or any interest in tangling with GLIFWC.
I think the DNR usually gets things right, but they did a bad job on this one. Here is a quote from a meeting August 12th.
“Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee member and business owner Tina Chapman asked how soon the DNR would be able to communicate the upcoming harvest and whether there would be a last minute closure. Parson replied that the DNR would be working to communicate with the committee on a weekly basis. “The key is that we feel we have enough safe allowable harvest to get us through the rest of the season,” Parson said, “and we will be monitoring it and communicating with you.””
Full article-
Wasn’t it just a month or so ago that they came out and said we were well below the quota and they probably wouldn’t close it? The DNR just can’t get out of their own way these days…..
**Edit** -Thanks for posting that Dennis. Guess I did see that somewhere!
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