Minnesota DNR fisheries managers reversed course on Friday, saying they will expand the keeper Mille Lacs walleye slot after all.
Earlier, the DNR had said that the government shutdown prevented fisheries managers from accumulating necessary creel data to set the new slot. Now they say they'll use information through June 30.
"We moved quickly to implement a more liberal walleye length limit regulation on Lake Mille Lacs," said DNR fish and wildlife division director Ed Boggess.
Effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, the walleye length limit regulation on Lake Mille Lacs will change to a 20- to 28-inch protected slot. Currently the walleye regulation is an 18- to 28-inch protected slot.
Here are other notes of interest to hunters issued Friday by the DNR:
· Fishing and hunting licenses: They are again available at any of the state's 1,500 license agents, as well as over the internet or by phone.
· Bear license purchase deadline: Hunters who successfully applied in the 2011 bear license lottery must purchase their license by Aug. 1. Licenses that are not purchased will go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Thursday, Aug. 4. Bear baiting can legally begin Friday, Aug. 12.
· Fall turkey/prairie chicken: The application deadline for fall turkey and prairie chicken licenses is Friday, July 29. Applications may be made online at www.mndnr.gov, by calling toll-free 888-665-4236, or through the electronic licensing system wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
· Deer hunting: Licenses will go on sale Aug. 1. The deadline for lottery either-sex permit applications and special deer hunts is Thursday, Sept. 8. The firearms deer season opens Nov. 5. The Camp Ripley archery hunt will be held as scheduled, as will special youth and state park deer hunts. One potential exception is the St. Croix State Park youth deer hunt. The feasibility of going forward with that hunt is under evaluation because of widespread damage to the park from high winds on July 1. Additional information will be announced later.
· Hunting regulations booklet: Printed copies of this year's regulation booklet won't be available until mid-August but an online version should be available Aug. 1.
· Waterfowl hunting: Hunting season decisions will be made in mid-August.
