Minnesota DNR reminds Mille Lacs anglers of July 1-15 walleye closure
Mille Lacs Lake anglers can catch and release walleye through Thursday, June 30, and are reminded of a two-week walleye closure — implemented to reduce hooking mortality — that will be in place from Friday, July 1, through Friday, July 15.
During the walleye closure, angling is allowed for all other species. Anglers targeting northern pike and muskellunge are allowed to use sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length. But anglers targeting all other fish species must use artificial lures and may not use live, dead, preserved or parts of minnows, night crawlers, worms, leeches or crayfish while fishing during this period. 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. However, beginning with 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, all anglers can fish from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations are available on the DNR website.
DNR webinar covers smallmouth bass fishing
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites Minnesotans interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune into an upcoming webinar that will discuss smallmouth bass fishing in rivers.
The webinar on smallmouth bass fishing in rivers will be at noon Wednesday, June 29. Join Eric Altena, DNR fisheries supervisor, to learn more about where smallmouth bass hang out in rivers, why people love pursuing them and how to get more of them on the end of your line.
The webinar is part of the DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series, which aims to give participants quick, relevant information on upcoming seasons and events, as well as skills to enjoy these opportunities. The webinars are free, but registration is required. More information, including registration information for webinars and recordings of past webinars, is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website.