DNR: New Regulations for NE Area Lakes

[Dr.Bob]

New walleye regulations for several northeast Minnesota lakes (2006-05-02)

Several lakes in Northeast Minnesota will have new special walleye regulations starting this spring that are designed to maintain or improve walleye populations on the effected lakes. The new regulations go into effect on the May 13, which is opening day of 2006 walleye season.

Lake Vermilion, near Tower and Cook, will have a 17- to 26-inch protected slot limit with one fish allowed over 26 inches. All walleye 17- to 26-inches long must be immediately returned to the lake. There will also be a four-fish daily and possession bag limit for walleye on Lake Vermilion. The new regulation was adopted in response to increased fishing pressure and walleye harvest in recent years. Creel surveys in 2002 and 2003 documented the highest walleye harvest ever observed on Lake Vermilion, well above the long-term safe harvest level for the lake. The goal of the new regulation is to keep the harvest at a sustainable level and maintain the quality of the walleye fishery.

A special walleye regulation will also go into effect this spring on a chain of lakes near Ely. Farm, Garden, South Farm, and White Iron lakes and the North Branch of the Kawishiwi River from Farm Lake 4.8 miles east to the long portage will have a 17- to 26-inch protected slot with one fish allowed over 26 inches. All walleye 17-to 26-inches long must be immediately returned to the water. The daily and possession bag limit for walleye will remain at six fish. The goal of the new walleye regulation is to increase walleye numbers on Garden Lake Reservoir (Farm, Garden, and South Farm lakes), maintain current walleye numbers on White Iron Lake, and to increase the numbers of medium and larger size walleyes in all of the lakes in this chain.

These special regulations were adopted after a lengthy process that included extensive internal review within the DNR as well as an extensive public input process, including public input meetings held in September 2005. Most of the comments received during the public input process were supportive of the new regulations. Signs describing the new regulations will be posted at public accesses and resorts on these lakes prior to the May 13 fishing opener. Any questions about the regulation changes can be directed to the area fisheries office at Tower.

Special and experimental regulations are summarized on pages 24-42 of the 2006 Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook.