Anglers fishing Rochester reservoirs would be able to keep fewer fish under regulations the Department of Natural Resources is proposing.
It is also looking at possible changes in existing panfish regulations on pools 5, 5A and 8 on the Mississippi River.
To explain the Rochester regulations and take comments, it will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the People’s Cooperative Services Community Room, 3935 U.S. 14 East. The proposal would reduce the possession limit for panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike.
It calls for no more than 10 total panfish and yellow perch combined, with no more than five crappies. Anglers could only keep one largemouth and one northern.
Local waters included in the proposal are Silver Lake, Foster-Arend, Willow Reservoir 4 (Gamehaven), Willow Reservoir 6A, Silver Creek Reservoir, Quarry Hill Pond, Kalmar Reservoir, Manor Woods pond, and Cascade ponds. Bear Creek Reservoir also will be considered for the new regulations, but existing regulations for sunfish and largemouth bass will be reviewed this year. Trout regulations on Foster-Arend will not be affected. DNR fisheries officials will also talk about how effective special regulations have been on the reservoir at Chester Woods Park east of Rochester.
A second panfish proposal to affect this area is the examination of special regulations on pools 5, 5A and 8 on the Mississippi. Meetings on that will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Winona Elks Lodge, Oct. 21 at La Crescent American Legion and Oct. 22 at the Wabasha-Kellogg High School.
The possession limit for 10 sunfish has been in effect since 2001. The DNR is looking at keeping, expanding or getting rid of that regulation.
Those who can’t make the meetings can get a summary of the proposals from Kevin Stauffer at [email protected]. Comments will be accepted by e-mail or letter by Oct. 30. Write to Stauffer at 1801 S. Oak St., Lake City, Mn., 55041.
