Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
A panel of Mille Lacs stakeholders urged the Department of Natural Resources Wednesday to allow a one-fish bag limit for early-season walleye anglers - a practice that was previously dropped over fears it would set the stage for a year of overharvest.
State Fisheries Chief Brad Parsons said the agency will consider the option as it mulls what regulation will best utilize the state's 2021 allocation of 87,500 pounds of walleye. He said the decision will rest with the DNR after officials give more thought to various scenarios that include a mix of catch-and-release periods, a possible closure of walleye fishing in July and bag limits in the fall for walleyes as small as 16 inches.
Of the 15 scenarios presented to the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee, a number of panelists spoke in favor of an option that would allow anglers to keep one 21-to-23-inch walleye on days in May, starting with the statewide opener. For the remainder of the year, walleye fishing would be limited to catch and release with a two-week closure July 1-15.
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