DNR Names 17 to Mille Lacs Committee, New Point Man for Lake

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Department of Natural Resources has named 17 people to its new Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee and a new point person for the agency's efforts to revive the popular lake's struggling walleye population.

The members announced Wednesday represent a range of angling, business, tourism and other interests, including some sharp critics of how the DNR has managed the big lake. They also include academic and county officials.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr also announced that retired DNR fisheries official Roger Hugill will fill the new post of project leader and be the public face of the agency's efforts on Mille Lacs.

Landwehr also says DNR officials plan to announce a decision sometime in the last week of this month whether to allow ice fishing for walleyes this winter.