Minnesota DNR reminds Mille Lacs anglers of July 1-15 walleye closure

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (6/27/22)

(Mille Lacs Lake, MN) — Walleye anglers on Mille Lacs Lake have time to catch and release now through Thursday, June 30th before the two week closure in order to reduce hooking mortality, which is in place Friday, July 1st through Friday, July 15th.

During the closure, angling for other species is open including northern pike and muskellunge. Anglers fishing for those species are allowed to use sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length. Anglers targeting other species must use artificial lures and may not luse live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, nightcrawlers, worms, leeches, or crayfish while fishing during the walleye closure.

Fishing hours on Mille Lacs Lake are 6am-10pm for all species. Walleye catch and release fishing will resume Saturday, July 16th through Wednesday, August 31st. The late walleye harvest season begins Thursday, September 1st and anglers can fish from 6am-midnight.