DNR Sets Mille Lacs Walleye Limits For 2015

GARRISON -- It's going to be another challenging year for walleye anglers on Lake Mille Lacs. The Department of Natural Resources fisheries managers have imposed even tighter walleye restrictions for the upcoming fishing season.

Anglers will be able to keep one walleye between 19-21 inches long or one over 28 inches. Last year, anglers were able to keep two walleye between 18--20 inches.

The DNR is also bringing back the night fishing ban for the season.

Fisheries Chief Don Pereira says the tighter restrictions are "necessary to keep the walleye harvest within the lake's established safe harvest level".  He says the new regulations show their commitment to improving the walleye fishery as quickly as possible.

The 2015 walleye safe harvest level has been reduced from 60,000 pounds to 40,000 pounds with anglers able to harvest 28,600 pounds and the eight Chippewa bands with treaty rights able to harvest 11,400 pounds of walleye.

Pereira says the DNR is encouraged by the 2013 walleye hatch, with that year class showing signs that more of those fish are surviving and will mature.