Mille Lacs angler survey

An angler survey on one of Minnesota's lakesTo keep track of walleye and all fish species caught, DNR relies on its creel, or angler survey, to monitor fishing on Mille Lacs Lake.

Monitoring by clerks stationed around the lake begins Dec. 1 and continues throughout the winter and summer fishing seasons.

Even when walleye angling is catch-and-release, some walleye die after being caught and released, a condition called hooking mortality. Based on angler reports to creel clerks, the poundage of walleye and northern pike that die from hooking mortality is calculated and applied against the state's harvest allocation.

Read more about the Mille Lacs creel survey, how it got started and the data that is collected and compiled to help manage the fishery.

Walleye

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2024 walleye

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 09-Jan. 09627127296411,0702 2
Jan. 10-Feb. 022,2557,836711552,3267,99138,17084,5132 2
Feb. 03-251,0163,50921351,0373,54411,09320,1112 2
Feb. 26-March 26--------2 2
May 11-31--------22
June 1-15--------22
June 16-30--------22
July 1-15--------22
July 16-31--------22
Aug. 1-15--------22
Aug. 16-31--------22
Sept. 1-15--------22
Sept. 16-30--------22
Oct. 1-31--------22
Winter Tournaments--------22
Summer tournaments--------22
Unsurveyed night--------22
All ice fishing3,27711,372931923,37011,56449,904105,69422
Open water survey--------22
Other open water--------22
Year-to-date totals3,27711,372931923,37011,56449,904105,69422
Allowed take 91,550 65,950
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2024 pike

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 09-Jan. 099439300943934572,5742 2
Jan. 10-Feb. 02204884002048847034,7732 2
Feb, 03-253741,153003741,1536633,3152 2
Feb. 26-March 26--------2 2
May 11-31--------2 2
June 1-15--------22
June 16-30--------22
July 1-15--------22
July 16-31--------22
Aug. 1-15--------22
Aug. 16-31--------22
Sept. 1-15--------22
Sept. 16-30--------22
Oct. 1-31--------22
Winter Tournaments--------22
Summer tournaments--------22
Unsurveyed night--------22
All ice fishing6722,430002981,2771,82310,66222
Open water survey--------22
Other open water--------22
Year-to-date totals6722,430002981,2771,82310,66222
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2024 perch

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 09-Jan. 0952126812,5051,1091 1
Jan. 10-Feb. 021,66478610,5932,2611 1
Feb. 03-251,6506647,8217331 1
Feb. 26-March 26----11
May 11-31----1 1
June 1-15----11
June 16-30----11
July 1-15----11
July 16-31----11
Aug. 1-15----11
Aug. 16-31----11
Sept. 1-15----11
Sept. 16-30----11
Oct. 1-31----11
Winter tournaments----11
Summer tournaments----11
Unsurveyed night----11
All ice fishing3,8351,71830,9194,10311
Open water survey----11
Other open water----11
Year-to-date totals3,8351,71830,9194,10311
Allowed take 36,500 36,500
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Last update: Thursday, March 21, 2024 @ 11:23 am CDT
2023
Walleye

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2023 walleye

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 20-Jan. 226132,26325316382,29413,65716,9602 2
Jan. 23-Feb. 264571,71628244851,74015,28313,2642 2
March 4-28000000241262 2
May Opener-312,4419,2343408682,78110,10224,56263,5792 2
June 1-151,3345,0412,0915,0283,42510,06926,78965,37622
June 16-301,8186,6543,6007,0745,41813,72836,99773,64022
July 1-151,0874,0721,8683,3902,9557,46217,92432,76822
July 16-313681,3377371,2311,1052,5686,63211,33122
Aug. 1-151,5064,7881,9122,6083,4187,39614,46520,42922
Aug. 16-317712,5766961,1161,4673.6927,82012,58322
Sept. 1-1520064437461557412594,6477,74722
Sept. 16-301063151072262135412,3244,94922
Oct. 1-31273920411253141,0452,2547,03922
Winter Tournaments156221176468164922
Summer tournaments002675662675663,8208,66022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals10,98939,62212,09322,90323,08262,525177,874339,09927,50159,097.6
Allowed take 100,300 74,700
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2023 pike

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 20-Jan. 222451,205002451,2051844362 2
Jan. 23-Feb. 260000001995012 2
March 4-28000000241642 2
May Opener-310000001,1844,9582 2
June 1-150080291802911,4505,28722
June 16-304001,4081971,0155972,5033,58018,44622
July 1-15112455291281415835252,32922
July 16-3194229282391224685024,34522
Aug. 1-15001035103517663022
Aug. 16-310031191311915593,47522
Sept. 1-1500135913592341,07422
Sept. 16-30009639631581,13822
Oct. 1-31004184186832122
Winter Tournaments1200120022
Summer tournaments0000000022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals8523,3793992,0371,2515,4168,84343,1041,3685,730.3
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2023 perch

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 20-Jan. 222,10688513,2771,4331 1
Jan. 23-Feb. 264,0122,35519,9583,3211 1
March 4-288314344731 1
May Opener-3100222421 1
June 1-153721711,17834411
June 16-306684953,0801,14111
July 1-154502374,8002,53011
July 16-312681071,74266711
Aug. 1-151,3686743,78283811
Aug. 16-314252411,72779711
Sept. 1-1540030253414911
Sept. 16-300063415511
Oct. 1-31000011
Winter tournaments44363059511
Summer tournaments000011
Unsurveyed night000011
Year-to-date totals10,9445,93751,28611,5151,3251,017.9
Allowed take 73,000 73,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
2022
Walleye

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2022 walleye

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 24-Jan. 261,3534,62447681,4004,69225,60836,8902 2
Jan. 25-Feb. 276152,04727326422,07914,84017,2782 2
Feb. 28-March 21000000002 2
May Opener-311,1474,1432886571,4354,80022,74652,3192 2
June 1-150049098049098015,80635,92722
June 16-30003186503186504,92711,33922
July 1-150048108481085321,34722
July 16-31002423722423722,1533,68722
Aug. 1-1500185321853211,7523,05322
Aug. 16-31001122181122181,1082,16322
Sept. 1-15183555101732846281,25090322
Sept. 16-3000446744671,0271,57022
Oct. 1-3100464652672822
Winter Tournaments5161161743554322
Summer tournaments001783701783703,5827,28722
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals3,30311,3852,0854,1735,38815,55896,292175,034-48,875
Allowed take 80,300 54,700
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2022 pike

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 24-Jan. 261051,016001051,0162551,7082 2
Jan. 25-Feb. 270000001171,0742 2
Feb. 28-March 21000000002 2
May Opener-310000002862,6182 2
June 1-150025107251074561,95022
June 16-302841,277211203051,3973812,17422
July 1-150027192271924883,49622
July 16-3100167816782891,41622
Aug. 1-1500187718773241,39122
Aug. 16-310000001221,36622
Sept. 1-15007757751221,36622
Sept. 16-300025178251784573,24522
Oct. 1-31004154157527722
Winter Tournaments3700370022
Summer tournaments0000000022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals3922,3001438424272,1193,22020,715-3,435
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2022 perch

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 24-Jan. 2672141211,4791,1441 1
Jan. 25-Feb. 272,27366427,0552,2171 1
Feb. 28-March 21005511 1
May Opener-31967995161 1
June 1-15001405711
June 16-30004807611
July 1-150039925011
July 16-31001,07719811
Aug. 1-150075411111
Aug. 16-310071513311
Sept. 1-150070119111
Sept. 16-30000011
Oct. 1-31----11
Winter tournaments----11
Summer tournaments----11
Unsurveyed night----11
Year-to-date totals3,0901,15542,9504,394-486
Allowed take 135,000 135,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
2021
Walleye

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2021 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 26-Jan. 262,7358,491791552,8148.64642,50876,4152 2
Jan. 27-Feb. 282,2507.060691552,3197,21537,35576,7002 2
March 1-21000000301432 2
May Opener-314,23012,9693,0786,1227,30819,091117,749232,9152 2
June 1-15002,5255,4192,5255,41934,20872,90822
June 16-30003,7168,0273,7168,02741,74189,58622
July 1-15004683468335463522
July 16-31001,3292,4811,3292,4818,93616,61622
Aug. 1-15003936483936483,1855,20922
Aug. 16-31002834862834862,5654,56922
Sept. 1-15001725172525837222
Sept. 16-301344191171842516032,6314,12722
Oct. 1-311564661652983217645,93410,73422
Winter Tournaments--------22
Summer tournaments--------22
Unsurveyed night--------22
Year-to-date totals9,50529,40511,81724,08321,32053,485292,424590,88727,12951,355.6
Allowed take 87,800 62,200
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2021 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 26-Jan. 26112364001123642461,3242 2
Jan. 27-Feb. 280000002029132 2
March 1-21000000002 2
May Opener-31204635702942749291,2685,3642 2
June 1-153413160235943661,0884,26622
June 16-303312011304415019653822
July 1-157128323140944234252,54522
July 16-3122280412662348702221,19122
Aug. 1-15004544547597722
Aug. 16-3100135513552331,00922
Sept. 1-15009899891721,61822
Sept. 16-3081370403391217097266,16422
Oct. 1-310092192115638522
Winter Tournaments--------22
Summer tournaments--------22
Unsurveyed night--------22
Year-to-date totals7572,7072501,3121,0074,0194,98926,0985122,675.1
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2021 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 26-Jan. 2622919212,4571,2901 1
Jan. 27-Feb. 286563817,6889551 1
March 1-21152472,188551 1
May Opener-3100001 1
June 1-150028411
June 16-300032618811
July 1-1500962311
July 16-31372759319411
Aug. 1-15003986711
Aug. 16-31001554111
Sept. 1-15000011
Sept. 16-30000011
Oct. 1-31000011
Winter tournaments----11
Summer tournaments----11
Unsurveyed night----11
Year-to-date totals1,07464723,9292,817131113.8
Allowed take 135,000 135,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
2020
Walleye

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2020 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 18-Jan. 82,1447,036851612,2297,19745,84884,5772 2
Jan. 9-313,71711,9431823603,89912,30398,306189,2472 2
Feb. 1-232,8959,5051022372,9979,74254,901123,7062 2
Feb. 25-Mar. 190001011853992 2
May Opener-31002,1525,4752.1525,475194,537457,5982 2
June 1-15001,6143,9021,6143,90241,963101,41022
June 16-30008,10819,3658,10819,365112,696268,98822
July 1-15002988582988581,8995,45822
July 16-31002268092268091,6275,85422
Aug. 1-15001,5623,1431,5623,14313,34326,86022
Aug. 16-31009061.9509061,9507,89717,00322
Sept. 1-15002526302526305,44613,58622
Sept. 16-30001553591553595,44312,56122
Oct. 1-31003578357811,01224,90822
Winter Tournaments412377191,5443,47422
Summer tournaments005511,3235511,32313.31231,81022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals8,76028,49616,23638,25224,99666,748609,9591,367,43917,58133,113
Allowed take 87,800 62,200
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2020 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 18-Jan. 83592,218003592,2187503,4422 2
Jan. 9-31167600001676002481,7352 2
Feb. 1-230000003261,9102 2
Feb. 25-Mar. 19622580062258313902 2
May Opener-311366491355402711,1892,4569,8112 2
June 1-150068404684041,2377,34222
June 16-300081283812831,4665,15322
July 1-15000029875241,58322
July 16-310000114419179122
Aug. 1-15975418601056011461,08522
Aug. 16-315428318133724163222,42522
Sept. 1-15001036231036231,18011,32122
Sept. 16-30005315318555522
Oct. 1-3100168916892921,61822
Winter Tournaments0000001222
Summer tournaments0000000022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals8754,5594732,2931,3486,8529,99549,1632511,267
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2020 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 18-Jan. 80011,3379411 1
Jan. 9-311,3001,3835,0739091 1
Feb. 1-239597685,0819861 1
Feb. 25-Mar. 19277824,6844931 1
May Opener-3100227451 1
June 1-1500952911
June 16-3015014345121611
July 1-150065111
July 16-31002872611
Aug. 1-15001,31061311
Aug. 16-31002156511
Sept. 1-15001,6113611
Sept. 16-30000011
Oct. 1-31733873611
Winter tournaments121150851811
Summer tournaments000011
Unsurveyed night000011
Year-to-date totals2,8802,56430,5944,3841313.4
Allowed take 135,000 135,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
2019
Walleye

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2019 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill 3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 15-Jan. 71,2444,0801052031,3494,28356,965110,1362 2
Jan. 8-311,7706,0831322711,9026,35471,533146,7252 2
Feb. 1-241,3734,725741501,4474,87540,13481,3802 2
Feb. 25-Mar. 190012121779182 2
May Opener-313,97614,0016721,6464,64815,77992,784229,9442 2
June 1-15002,0435,2692,0435,26968,666178,53722
June 16-30004,74111,0294,74111,029105,394246,91822
July 1-15008,15420,7188,15420,71873,400188,06022
July 16-31004,41411,7024,41411,70232,06485,64222
Aug. 1-15003.6327.9093,6327,90927,68260,73322
Aug. 16-31001,2792,4771,2792,47715,26829,90022
Sept. 1-15002596112596116,03214,29322
Sept. 16-30001313111313113,9439,29222
Oct. 1-31005175171,1773,73622
Winter Tournaments39497182,3444,83222
Summer tournaments006891,6386891,63811,82328,54022
Unsurveyed night0000000022
Year-to-date totals8,36628,89826,33563,96234,70192,860609,3861,419,58624,31645,033
Allowed take 87,800 62,200
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2019 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 15-Jan. 75912,162005912,1625753,4202 2
Jan. 8-310000005063,4722 2
Feb. 1-248933800893383762,1582 2
Feb. 25-Mar. 19000000553302 2
May Opener-31175767893172641,0841,6215,7672 2
June 1-15168729552072239369983,77222
June 16-304117747166883438463,01522
July 1-15168678421792108577713,26322
July 16-31120283512211715049334,01922
Aug. 1-1510044615811155272671,47522
Aug. 16-31104551352401397916454,37222
Sept. 1-157462,611291627752,7735192,94822
Sept. 16-300093493415961722
Oct. 1-310064964910788422
Winter Tournaments0000000022
Summer tournaments0000003-22
Unsurveyed night000000--22
Year-to-date totals2,3028,7423781,6572,68010,3998.38139,5124422,044
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2019 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 15-Jan. 72,3091,2936,2756711 1
Jan. 8-313,3161,6855,8631,0731 1
Feb. 1-247996584,0768141 1
Feb. 25-Mar. 1900232171 1
May Opener-310088291 1
June 1-151931812482211
June 16-300041033811
July 1-15565697760111
July 16-3130924198315111
Aug. 1-150097534811
Aug. 16-310084921011
Sept. 1-150028010711
Sept. 16-30000011
Oct. 1-31000011
Winter tournaments232387911
Summer tournaments23-2-11
Unsurveyed night00--11
Year-to-date totals7,0284,13721,3454,390153142
Allowed take 135,000 135,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
2018
Walleye

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2018 creel

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State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality1Total kill4ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 9-Jan. 2287877681623551,03936,97781,7212 2
Jan. 3-291,0483,271631861,1113,45733,79094,1492 2
Jan. 30-Feb. 254191,380331054521,48517,62753,4512 2
Feb. 26-March 12000000782102 2
May 12-31004701,5614701,56143,420134,5922 2
June 1-15001,3383,5901,3383,59044,704111,43122
June 16-30003,25910,1973,25910,19752,469153,15022
July 1-15003,91712,2903,91712,29034,511100,90822
July 16-31001,6804,5111,6804,51114,01134,99122
Aug. 1-15009891,62598916258,43212,80622
Aug. 16-31001,7732,6411,7732,64116,75822,99822
Sept. 1-15006181,1516181,1518,82115,24822
Sept. 16-30002145352145355,87813,65922
Oct. 1-3100471894718912,25045,91222
Year-to-date totals1,7545,52814,46938,74316,22344,271329,726875,22614,78727,415
Allowed take 87,800 3
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Not established.
4 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Northern Pike

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2018 creel

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State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedHooking mortality 1Total kill3ReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 9-Jan. 27162,971007162,9719546,6932 2
Jan. 3-29103324001033242431,7072 2
Jan. 30-Feb. 25250964002509641093992 2
Feb. 26-March 12000000002 2
May 12-3154185974911516761,7618,9202 2
June 1-1529102732731023751,3324,95922
June 16-30345852130861889372,36322
July 1-15269886105527994118299722
July 16-317142,481493477632,8288966,30622
Aug. 1-157142,481493477632,8287415,39722
Aug. 16-3160284958693421611,05722
Sept. 1-155631,767623316252,0981,1356,01422
Sept. 16-303211746347784648446,31022
Oct. 1-31007777771321,40522
Year-to-date totals2,95210,5484472,4053,39912,9539,42752,5271,2204,935
Allowed take 50,000 50,000
1 Estimate of fish that die after being caught and released (i.e. hooking mortality).
2 Not reported by state angler period.
3 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.
Yellow Perch

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2018 creel

State anglersTribal fishing
HarvestedReleasedTotal kill
FishLbs.FishLbs.FishLbs.
Dec. 9-Jan. 21,1453638,8136151 1
Jan. 3-291,2738694,5577181 1
Jan. 30-Feb. 257157686,6397261 1
Feb. 26-March 1258413,0211991 1
May 12-31001281071 1
June 1-15146302118011
June 16-3051121351125511
July 1-1515615368844911
July 16-31001,01734311
Aug. 1-151561301,2688011
Aug. 16-3130927497114511
Sept. 1-1541541,40427211
Sept. 16-30001127011
Oct. 1-31000011
Year-to-date totals4,5102,89529,3404,0593,1912,041
Allowed take 135,000 135,000
1 Not reported by state angler period.
2 Total kill is harvest combined with hooking mortality.

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