New special fishing regulations

[Lee Borgersen]

  March 04, 2011, 12:00 AM
 
New northern pike regulations in effect on Upper Red Lake
New special fishing regulations for affected lakes and other general changes for the 2011 fishing season became effective March 1, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).



The Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2011 booklet, which summarizes changes on page 4, and 2011 licenses are now available at DNR license agents. The 2010 licenses, however, are still good until the end of April.

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.

Among the new special regulations for the 2011 season are:

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

E 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.

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

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

E Big Sandy Lake and connected waters (Aitkin County) - 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.

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

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

The Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2011 booklet, which summarizes changes on page 4, and 2011 licenses are now available at DNR license agents. The 2010 licenses, however, are still good until the end of April.

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.

Among the new special regulations for the 2011 season are:

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

- 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.

- 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.

- Big Sandy Lake and connected waters (Aitkin County) - 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.