Opener this weekend

[dabahrden]

Does anyone know the status of walleye fishing on the river this weekend?  I have heard rumors the DNR was not going to allow it due to the late spawning.

[JohnWester]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is announcing a temporary fishing closure on three major tributaries to the Red Lakes to protect spawning walleyes.

The Tamarac River from Upper Red Lake to the Beltrami-Koochiching County line, and Shotley Brook from Upper Red Lake upstream to State Highway 72, and the Blackduck River from County Road 32 downstream to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa reservation boundary line will be closed during this period.

These tributaries will be closed to all angling and rough fish spearing during the peak period when walleye are concentrated for spawning. Tributaries will be closed beginning Saturday, April 21. The duration of spawning is determined by weather conditions and in northern latitudes, walleye spawning is not always completed by early May.

"Currently Upper Red Lake and the Tamarac River are still ice covered, somewhat later than usual," said Gary Barnard, DNR area fisheries supervisor at Bemidji. "We hope spawning progresses quickly and some dispersal occurs prior to fishing opener Saturday, May 12, but occasionally these spawning area closures need to be extended beyond the fishing opener. We have a big investment in the Red Lake recovery effort and it makes sense to protect walleye during this short period when they are exceptionally vulnerable."

Major access points will be posted during the period of closure, and anglers interested in the status of the closures are encouraged to call the DNR area fisheries office in Bemidji at (218) 755-2974.

I called the number above and the lady that answered couldn't give me an answer.  I left a message and hopefully i'll get a call back.  when I do, i'll post here.

[JohnWester]

I just got a call back. As of now the signs prohibiting fishing in the rivers and streams are still in place.  The DNR's plan is to pull these signs late Friday night so that they are open to fishing May 12th.  If for some reason the signs don't get pulled, I probably wouldn't fish in there, there could still be a reason they left them up.  But as of now, their plan is to pull them so you can fish them starting this Saturday.

Hope that helps you out.

[dabahrden]

Thanks so much - Big Fish Guy!