Minnesota DNR reminds Mille Lacs anglers of June 1 catch-and-release walleye regulations

Release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Mille Lacs Lake anglers can keep one walleye from 21-23 inches, or one over 28 inches, through Tuesday, May 31. Walleye fishing will be catch-and-release from Wednesday, June 1, through Thursday, June 30.

A two-week closure — implemented to reduce hooking mortality — will be in place from Friday, July 1, through Friday, July 15. During the walleye closure, angling is allowed for all other species; however, live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, night crawlers, worms, leeches or crayfish may not be used while fishing during this period. Anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge are allowed to use sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length. All other anglers must use artificial lures. Catch-and-release walleye fishing will resume on Saturday, July 16, and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 31. The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 1, through Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all species. Beginning on the opening of muskellunge season on Saturday, June 4, anglers targeting muskie and northern pike are not subject to the night fishing closure, if they are using artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. During the late walleye harvest season beginning Thursday, Sept. 1, anglers can fish from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/MilleLacsLake).