DNR official: Strong walleye fishing on Mille Lacs not a sign of healthy population. 
8/17/17• Related: Minnesota scientists dive deep to learn why walleye are stressed.
But that doesn't necessarily mean the population is healthy and thriving, the DNR says.
"It's very common, especially in sport fishing, for catch rates not to be related to abundance," said Don Pereira, the agency's state fisheries chief. "We're having issues with invasive species, and impacts on how much natural food is being created for walleye on the lakes so the fish are quite often in a pretty hungry state, which can really drive up angler catch rates."
Next month, the DNR will do its annual survey of fish populations in Mille Lacs. That survey helps determine just how much fish can be harvested next year.
Why walleye is Minnesota's 'holy grail of fish'Hanson and other business owners are skeptical of the DNR's estimates of walleye in the lake.
"They maintain there's 50 percent less fish in the lake than there was five to 10 years ago, and we're seeing people going out and get 50, 60, 70 walleyes on a fishing trip," Hanson said. "We just can't rationalize that."
There are many reasons why walleye could be biting, including how much food or forage they have to eat, said Brad Parsons, central region fisheries manager for the DNR.
Parsons also says the restrictions mean more fish are being released to be caught again. And they might be keeping some anglers away.
"Fishing pressure is lower on Mille Lacs than it has been in the past," Parsons said. "So you have fewer people going for the same number of fish that are willing to bite at any given time."
Later this year, outside experts will review the DNR's science and management of Mille Lacs. DNR officials hope using peer review will help increase transparency and rebuild trust with the Mille Lacs business owners.
"There have been questions over time about whether the committee feels that our surveys and monitoring of the lake is answering all the questions that we need," Parsons said. "There's obviously a good walleye bite going on right now, and a lot of folks feel that that's due to the fact that there's more fish in the lake than our estimates are showing."
Members of the advisory committee will be able to pose their questions about how the lake's fish are sampled and counted directly to the experts, Parsons said.
Chris Vandergoot, a fisheries research biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Lake Erie station, will lead the research.
"I'm basically being asked to come in with a fresh set of eyes and an open mind and assess what's going on and help provide assistance however I can," Vandergoot said.
Both Erie and Mille Lacs are premier walleye lakes with a lot in common, Vandergoot said. Both have seen the walleye population fluctuate over time, and those changes often lead to criticism of how the lake is managed.
"Over my career on Lake Erie, we've run the gamut from times of want and times of plenty," Vandergoot said. "So this is pretty standard for any fisheries biologist who's managing one of these populations."
Vandergoot plans to meet with the advisory committee early next month and expects it will take six to nine months to come up with findings. He said he knows the debate over Mille Lacs' fishing regulations has been heated at times.
"Working on Lake Erie, I've learned in my career it's always good to get in a room and talk with people," he said. "I've been at many meetings when people are not very happy with you. That's just part of the business."
Roach said he commends the DNR for bringing in outside experts to review their work.
"I think this will really help as far as overall transparency," he said. "I think it's something that this lake needs and the people around this region needs."
Roach hopes the review will bring some consistency to the lake's fishing regulations.
"Stability to this area is huge, because these shutdowns are what takes a toll on the businesses," he said.
Some businesses that cater to walleye angers are getting creative to give guests another reason to come to Mille Lacs.
Nitti's Hunters Point Resort will offer bass fishing, a craft fair, four-wheeler rides and a bean bag tournament, said Justin Baldwin, whose family has owned the business for 21 years.
"It's just trying to take our business in a few different directions," Baldwin said.
Gov. Mark Dayton planed to be on Mille Lacs on Saturday to promote the lake's smallmouth bass fishery. Mille Lacs' reputation received a boost recently when Bassmaster magazine named it the top bass lake in the country.
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