Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake will be catch-and-release only in 2016

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake will be catch-and-release only in 2016, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday. A ban on taking walleye from Mille Lacs this season is part of the state’s plan to revive the walleye population in the destination lake.

“A catch-and-release walleye season allows us to protect future spawners yet acknowledges the desire that fishing remain open,” said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries chief. “Not allowing harvest is a difficult decision but it provides our best option.”

http://www.fox9.com/news/110938918-story

 

[Thekid]

Welp. Guess I'm not going to fish there this summer.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Blame on tourists, slots and launch fishing business for killing Lake Mille Lacs. Wiping out trophy smallmouth bass and larger northern pikes, do nothing with the massive populations of carps and buffaloes slowly take over of the lake. All because the public forced the DNR to increase the limit on bass and pike. There is some talk to increase the limit and reduce the size slot on the muskellunges of Lake Mille Lacs. It is very hard for DNR to give the public some satisfy because of the tourist businesses on the lake. No walleyes, no business so all the DNR could do is increase the limit on the bass and pikes in order to let the businesses stay in business.

 

[MN_Rebel]

Can't even do a commercial netting on that lake, and the tribal decided to not do walleye netting again this spring. Bowfishermen weren't having some peace time on that lake because it's patrolling heavily by the conservation officers at night on the lake and they check on the bowfishermen frequently more than three times a night because I think the conservation officers were a little paranoid that the bowfishermen were poaching for walleyes.