Dayton To Return To Mille Lacs After ‘Dark Day’ For Walleye

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The sudden end to the walleye fishing season on Lake Mille Lacs has Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton ramping up plans for a special session to help area resorts and considering changes to the local Department of Natural Resource personnel there.

Dayton on Monday called the unprecedented early season end "a dark day" but unavoidable given how fast anglers reached this year's walleye quota on the premier lake. Dayton says he'll head north on Saturday to fish for bass and other species in hopes of promoting continued tourism to the region.

The DNR has announced that walleye fishing there will end at 10 p.m. Monday. It's a blow to resorts, bait shops and charter operators. Dayton is working with lawmakers on a package of low-interest loans, grants or other emergency assistance.