Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishing will be catch-and-release during the spring and early summer of 2024, with the potential to harvest walleye 21-23 inches in length or over 28 inches beginning in August 16.
“Despite poor ice conditions, anglers caught a lot of walleye this past fall and winter because those fish weren’t finding enough to eat,” said Brad Parsons, DNR Fisheries section manager. “We need to adjust the open water season regulations to account for the active bite and for the possibility of higher water temperatures this summer. Even with catch-and-release regulations, many fish are dying when the water temperature is too hot.”
Fair to excellent walleye fishing is expected to continue in Mille Lacs throughout the open water season, which begins May 11 and ends Nov. 30. Catch rates should remain high with fish looking to bite on the 132,000-acre central Minnesota lake.
While the DNR’s 2023 Mille Lacs assessment found slightly lower walleye numbers in 2022, overall the population remains healthy due to continued abundance of walleye hatched in 2013 and 2017. Assessment results indicate also decent numbers of walleye hatched in 2021 and 2022 which should contribute to the walleye population going forward.
Both population estimates, netting surveys and population models also indicate that there are fewer yellow perch and tullibees, the main food sources for Mille Lacs Lake walleye. With less natural food, foraging walleye are more likely to bite anglers’ baits.
“It seems logical that high catch rates mean there are more walleye in the lake,” Parsons said. “The data we’ve collected and analyzed suggests the hot bite is because walleye aren’t finding as many tullibees and perch to eat. Our management decisions take that data into account.”
Mille Lacs continues to be a lake that experiences changes. Increased water clarity and the introduction of invasive species such as zebra mussels and spiny water fleas means less microscopic aquatic food, resulting in decreased production of forage species and fewer walleye maturing in their first year.
“Mille Lacs is a great place to fish and recreate, and anglers will continue to enjoy quality opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge,” Parsons said. “Our management approach is aligned with the Mille Lacs management plan and reflects our commitment to navigating the lake’s unique dynamics and preserving the angling tradition.”
The DNR has decided to allow only catch-and-release walleye angling from May through August 15. This decision is intended to enable the harvest of a walleye measuring 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches from on August 16, assuming the conditions permit.
State-licensed fishermen share the harvest in Mille Lacs with Ojibwe tribes who retain fishing rights through treaty. To protect the fishery, the annual safe harvest level is set by discussion and agreement between the state and the tribes, with each party setting regulations to keep their share of the harvest. This year’s agreement took into account the overall decline in the lake’s walleye population and lowered the walleye safe harvest level by 10% from 2023, setting it at 91,500 pounds for state-licensed anglers and 65,500 pounds for tribal fishing.
Anglers are reminded to protect Mille Lacs Lake and all Minnesota waters from aquatic invasive species by cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash. A decontamination station is available 24/7 at Shaw-Bosh-Kung Bay public access on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake about 8 miles south of Garrison.
Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated surveys showing ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike and yellow perch are available on the DNR website.
