Mille Lacs walleye quota busted, but Dayton orders lake open for fishing

[HD]

Minnesota anglers have busted through the kill limit for walleye on Lake Mille Lacs, but unlike last year, state officials will not close fishing, officials announced Tuesday.

The decision to keep fishing open — perhaps in violation of American Indian treaty practices — was made by Gov. Mark Dayton, while state scientists provided a biological rationale: The fish population was not being harmed.

“I have directed the DNR not to close the walleye fishing season on Lake Mille Lacs, and I have contacted tribal leaders to ask for their understanding and forbearance,” Dayton said in a statement. “The DNR has already imposed a very stringent, catch-and-release only, restriction on this season.”

Even though the entire season, which began in May, has been catch-and-release only for walleye, fish still die from being hooked, and soaring July temperatures led to a  spike in the so-called hooking mortality.

A fresh analysis estimates that 37,922 pounds of walleye have been killed by hook-and-line fishing by the end of July, surpassing the 28,600-pound limit negotiated between the state and American Indian tribes with rights to share the lake’s fabled but troubled walleye fishery.

However, biologists with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources believe that the most important generation of fish for the future of the lake — walleye that hatched in 2013 — have fared well this summer, said Don Pereira, head of fisheries for the DNR.

“The primary goal of the catch-and-release restriction is protecting young walleye, especially the robust 2013 year class,” Pereira said. “Current data show that only 1 percent of the 2013 fish have been impacted by hooking mortality, which is remarkably low.”

It’s unclear what might happen if tribal officials believe the state is violating the court-upheld treaty with eight Chippewa Indian bands, but Dayton indicated he’s aware of the dynamic.

“Closing the walleye fishing season on Mille Lacs would devastate area businesses and communities,” Dayton said in his statement. “The State’s fisheries experts have assured me that continuing catch-and-release on Mille Lacs will not negatively impact the health of the walleye fishery.

“We will continue to do everything possible, working with area business, community, and tribal leaders, to assure the long-term health and sustainable recovery of the Mille Lacs walleye fishery.”

[attachment deleted by admin]