Mille Lacs walleye slot unchanged, northern pike slot adjusted

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Mille Lacs walleye slot unchanged, northern pike slot adjusted
(Released April 25, 2011)


Lake Mille Lacs anglers are reminded that walleye regulations won’t change from 2010 when the season opens Saturday, May 14, but the slot limit for northern pike will be different this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Anglers may keep up to four walleyes shorter than 18 inches, one of which may be longer than 28 inches. All walleyes 18-to 28-inches in length must be immediately released.

Up to three northern pike shorter than 27 inches may be kept, one of which may be longer than 40 inches. All northern pike 27-to 40-inches in length must be immediately released. The change from the 24- to 36-inch protected slot implemented in 2002 creates a slightly more liberal slot limit that provides additional angler opportunity.

Starting July 15, if angler harvest is low enough to allow it, anglers may be allowed to keep walleyes up to 20 inches with one trophy more than 28 inches in the four-fish limit. All walleyes from 20-to 28-inches would need to be immediately released. Then, on Thursday, Dec. 1, the slot would revert to four walleyes up to 18 inches, with one more than 28 inches in the four-fish limit.

If the DNR implements walleye regulation changes for Mille Lacs in July, the new limit will be posted at public accesses and the DNR website.

 Smallmouth bass season opens Saturday, May 28. Anglers can keep only one fish and all smallmouth must be at least 21 inches long.

A night fishing closure is in place on Mille Lacs from 10 p.m. Monday, May 16, through midnight Monday, June 13. During this period, no one may fish for any species between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

[snow]

"Whoopy do" comes to mind,currently the natives netting is under way with no "slots" for them,this year they can harvest up to 71 tons of walleye,further if we get the okay for two lines this year,guess what? the cheif DNR guy dirk peterson wants to reduce our daily limit to two fish(walleye) because two lines will double mortality,so there ya have it,the state takes away 10,000lbs of walleyes from us non-native tax payers,restrict our harvest with a 18-28" slot,increase the native harvest quota by 10,000 lbs and no slot (gill netts) where is the equality here? Not to mention the damage they are doing taking these walleyes outof there spawning grounds.