Walleye limit on Mille Lacs Lake to be increased beginning Friday
MILLE LACS LAKE, Minn. — Anglers on Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota will soon be able to catch more walleye.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced earlier this week that the limit will increase to two walleyes beginning Friday. Both fish can be 18 to 20 inches long, or one of that length and another over 28 inches long.
The regulation change will be in effect until Saturday, Nov. 30.
The DNR says that population surveys suggest that the lake has "relatively high numbers" of fish 18 to 20 inches long.
"Expanding the possession limit to two fish and adjusting the harvestable size range allows anglers to catch and keep the 'eaters' many prefer," the DNR said in a news release.
In 2021, the DNR estimated around three million to four million walleye are caught yearly in the state.
The new standard should help both anglers and businesses. Poor ice conditions all winter and our wet and windy summer kept many anglers off Lake Mille Lacs. Add in the catch-and-release rules, and that means they've reeled in far fewer fish.
Randy Simons owns Randy's Rentals, which rents out places to stay, pontoons and jet skis. He says for the past few years, business has been terrible.
"We were very happy to have the two walleye limit come back. We really need that for our community in this lake, to get the walleye fisherman back here," Simons said. "Catch-and-release has been devastating to our community and our rental homes."
Even across the street from the giant walleye in Garrison, businesses have been hurting.
Roberta Auger says ending the two-walleye limit should change that.
"It's going to help a lot of the businesses here," Auger said.