As anticipated, the Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that it will allow one walleye to winter anglers on Lake Mille Lacs for the 2017-2018 season, which begins Dec. 1. There are no bait restrictions, with a limit of one walleye 20-22 inches or one longer than 28 inches.
Last winter one walleye 18-20 inches was allowed. But the winter harvest is counted against the lake's annual harvest quota, and it contributed to last summer's small sport-angler allotment.
"We're glad results of fall population survey show Mille Lacs anglers will be able to keep some walleye during the winter walleye season," said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries section chief, said in a news release. "We know this is important to resorts and businesses because the ice fishing season contributes a lot to the local economy."
