Red Rock On Air

Anglers who fish Lake Mille Lacs during the 2010 fishing season will again be able to keep four walleye up to 18 inches in length. The bag limit of four may include one trophy more than 28 inches.

The regulation, which begins May 15 and is identical to the current regulation, requires anglers to release all walleye from 18-to 28-inches. It was set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) following input from Mille Lacs area resort, angling and related interests.

The regulation aims to ensure that the state angler harvest falls within the state’s 2010 allocation of 411,500 pounds of walleye. Eight Chippewa Indian bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin may take 132,500 pounds of walleye.

In related news, the DNR is seeking rule-making legislation this session that would allow the agency to change the mid-season fishing regulation on Mille Lacs in a more expedient manner, thereby ensuring the walleye regulation is no more restrictive than necessary.

“Our management approach at Mille Lacs is to apply the least restrictive regulation while staying within the allowable harvest level,” said Dave Schad, DNR Fish and Wildlife division director. “If the Legislature supports our proposal it could result in relaxed slot limits earlier in the summer when those opportunities exist.”