2011 fishing regulation changes become effective March 1

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2011 fishing regulation changes become effective March 1

New special fishing regulations for affected lakes and other general changes for the 2011 fishing season become effective Tuesday, March 1, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

 

The Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2011 booklet, which summarizes changes on page 4, will be available March 1 at DNR license agents and online at www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.

 

The 2011 booklet does not list special regulations for walleye on Red Lake and Mille Lacs Lake because they are not yet established. These regulations will be announced through the media and on the DNR website, and posted at public access sites on the affected lakes.

 

Game and fish licenses for 2011 are available now from DNR license agents, online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense and by telephone at 888-665-4236. Licenses for 2011 become effective March 1. The 2010 licenses are still good until the end of April.

 

New special regulations for 2011:

·         Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.

·         Big Sandy Lake and connected waters (Aitkin County) – Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River; sunfish, possession limit five; walleye, all less than 14 inches or greater than 18 inches must be immediately released, with one more than 26 inches allowed in possession.

·         Clear Lake (Washington County) – walleye minimum size limit 17 inches, possession limit three.

·         Crow Wing Lakes, 5th and 6th (Hubbard County) – northern pike, all from 24-36 inches must be immediately released, one more than 36 inches allowed in possession.

·         Davis Lake (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.

·         Flowage Lake (Aitkin County) – same Big Sandy Lake.

·         Melissa Lake (Becker County) northern pike – all from 24-36 inches must be immediately released, one more than 36 inches allowed in possession.

·         Sallie Lake (Becker County) northern pike – all from 24-36 inches must be immediately released, one more than 36 inches allowed in possession.

·         Sandy River Lake (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.

·         Prairie River (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.

·         Sandy River (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.

·         Red Lake (Beltrami County) northern pike – all from 26-44 inches must be immediately released, one more than 44 inches allowed in possession.

·         West Savanna River (Aitkin County) – same as Big Sandy Lake.