Lake Mille Lacs Businesses Brace for Impact of Walleye Curbs

ISLE (AP) - Lake Mille Lacs business owners are bracing from a financial hit when fisherman are stopped from reeling in walleye.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was closing the walleye season Monday night on the giant lake after the year's catch quota was exceeded.

Nelle Phillips of the Hunter Winfield's Resort says the season's early end will take a toll if walleye-searching tourists stay away. But she says, "We'll weather it."

Charter boat operators say already strict harvest quotas have already affected them. One was planning a "last hurrah" outing before the ban kicked in. Anglers can still prowl for bass, northern, muskie and other fish in the lake.

Many in the area fault the DNR's lake management and even question whether they've got their harvest numbers right.