Minnesota fisheries

Anglers are invited to weigh in on proposed special fishing regulations that, if adopted, would become effective next year.

Most of the proposed changes are aimed at protecting and improving bluegill sizes by lowering bag limits on lakes in 26 counties. You have a variety of input opportunities including virtual town halls, contacting an area fisheries office directly, attending an in-person meeting and commenting online. Read on for more about how to participate.

Recreational netting for cisco, also referred to as tullibee, and whitefish is open this fall on designated lakes.

Whitefish and cisco sport netting is open to Minnesota residents only. About 700 Minnesotans participate each year. Netting schedules are based on expected water temperatures. As the water temperature cools, game fish head to deeper water while cisco and whitefish come to shallow water for fall spawning.

The DNR allows netting when there is little chance that fish other than cisco and whitefish will be caught. Game fish incidentally taken in nets must be returned to the water immediately. Complete regulations, including designated lakes, netting schedules and requirements related to use of gear and invasive species, are available on the DNR website.