2005 Mille Lacs Regulations

Its that time of the year when the DNR Treaty Managment team and the Mille Lacs Lake Input Group sit down and discuss regulation proposals for the upcoming year. I just recieved a letter today from the DNR inviting me to attend the meetings next week as a member of that Input Group.

The safe allowable harvest for this year has been set at 505,000lbs., which breaks down to 100,000 for the Indian Bands, and 405,000 lbs. for the sports anglers. Up slightly from last season.

I’d like to hear from some of you what you would like to see for regulations this season.

I will have the opportunity to speak for all of us, and would appreciate constructive input from all of you.

Jack, tell them I want to keep everything I can

Just kidding, you must have got the same invite I did. I will see you at the meeting

I’d like to see a 14 inch minimum size limit. Regardless of the number of fish that size in the system or any other biological reason the DNR comes up with. It’s just the right thing to do.

Did I hear one time they talked about a 30 or 40 inch total. Weather you got it from one fish or more fish it didnt matter as long as it was not over the allowed total inches.
That I think would be a good way to get a few for dinner but still teach catch and release.
Thanks for asking for our input too.

I’d like to see 14-22 with one over 28 from opening weekend to the end of the fishing season.

And tell them to get rid of that silly night ban already.

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I’d like to see 14-22 with one over 28 from opening weekend to the end of the fishing season.

And tell them to get rid of that silly night ban already.

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I’m with Derek 100% on this one. Thanks for voicing an opinion for us!!

Maybe 14-20″ with one trophy over 28″. I have seen some very nice 27″ fish that would be a trophy to many people, so maybe the 28″ should be moved down. I like the possession limit at 4 too.

I agree 100% with Derek! 14-20 or 22″ Keeper Slot with one over 28″. 4 fish bag limit and definitely getting rid of the night ban!

Just my $.02

I like the 14″ minimum, otherwise leave everything the same as last year.

14″ to 20″ one over 28″ 4 fish limit.

Keep the night ban.

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I like the 14″ minimum, otherwise leave everything the same as last year.
14″ to 20″ one over 28″ 4 fish limit.

Keep the night ban.

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Dito….The night ban does protect the shallow spring walleye. I think it would be bad if they every decide to drop it………..and who would ever want to keep a walleye under 14 inches???

I am usually very vocal at these meetings because it is the only way to get your point across I do like a minimum size limit but the DNR is going to be against it. Only because the females are the first to reach that size and the first harvested. However, since some are reaching that size now it should not matter this year. I will do my best, keep the ideas coming guys. I will certainly keep you posted.

I have to agree with Scott, I doubt the DNR will put a minimum on the lake this year.

I can assure you, the night ban will not be lifted either. A couple years ago, the catch on opening weekend with the night fishing totaled over a third of the harvest that year.
To lift the night ban, could mean that the harvest quota could be reached and the lake closed for fishing for the rest of the year by the end of July!! I’m not saying it “will” happen, only that it “could” happen, and if it did, well, just think about all that would entail.

Please understand, fisheries managment does envolve resource (fish) managment, but it also envolves people, businesses, conservation, and economics as well, both for today, and the future too. Its like juggling a bunch of balls, if you focus too much on any one ball, you’ll probably drop one of the other ones.

Please keep the comments coming.

Does anyone think Mille Lacs should maybe have “trophy” muskie regulations on it. Maybe raising the minimum size from 40″ to 48″?

I’d second that muskie regulation change.

What do you think the tullibee regs. will be this year? There’s a few of them in the lake again!

Theres no data to support what the catch rates are after dark, The opening weekend you are refering to was the total catch for the entire weekend. We will probably never know how many fish were taken after dark.

For that matter, there has never been any scientific data to support the night ban. Some years the fishing has been excellent during the day, we can only assume they bite better at night. I agree it possibly could cause problems with another bait fish crash and its probably best to leave the ban as is for that reason.

How about a catch and release night ban? I just wish we had more of an opportunity for night time trolling with decent weather rather than wait for fall.

“How about a catch and release night ban?”

I can see two arguements the DNR will have with that idea.

1. They will say that they have no way to actually enforce such a rule.

2. They will also say that that will increase the hooking mortality numbers too much, and effect our harvest totals.
(You have to keep that in mind, our harvest totals include a mortality % of all fish caught and released also!)

Enforce it the same way they are now with the ban.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the mortality study has proven the mortality rate to be extremely low? Like 1-3%

The night ban was put in place to limit harvest because of the maximum allowable harvest, which we were exceeding for many years prior to the last two. I think the DNR will consider removing the night ban this year since harvest was SO low for 2004. The 2003 harvest was low, but we had to make up for overharvesting years prior. We are now well under our 5 year harvest level so I am sure we will see some more changes. I am not in favor of harvesting fish bigger than 20 inches. Those 22 inchers last year that you could keep were huge, to big to put a knife to in my opinion. Although, very few were actually kept.

the muskie regs should be 1 a year over 50″with a $100 restocking fee attached. i would support a total catch and release but i do think that the lake could produce a new state record someday soon. as far as the walleye’s go, last year was pretty good in our camp as far as keepers went. i say keep it the same as last year. i support the night ban, if you were to change it maybe move it back a half hour to 10:30.

Actually, the night ban was lobbied by business owners in the late 80’s to get more people into the bars during the prime fishing season..

Can’t confirm it, but that’s MO

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the muskie regs should be 1 a year over 50″with a $100 restocking fee attached. i would support a total catch and release but i do think that the lake could produce a new state record someday soon.

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I’m just curious here…… is the musky fishery in Mille Lacs that fragile to impose such a strict regulation? It would seem to me that the growing popularity of Mille Lacs musky fishing, we’d really drive the musky guys somewhere else, and most musky fishermen release everything they catch already.

It would seem to me that this would be too much hassle for the average angler and take the fun out chasing muskie or even the accidental catch.

MN already has some of the best muskie fishing anywhere so I think the restocking charge is unwarranted. Raise the minimum length. That’s all that’s needed for increased trophy potential. Just look at the smallmouth for example. That’s all they have and look at what it’s done for the bass fishing there.

Scott,

You might be right about the night ban, but I’ve still got my doubts. I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t think the DNR has enough reasons to lift it.

We can always bring it up on Tuesday and see what the rest of the group thinks.

the muskie fishery is doing better than ever. there were more fish pushing 50lbs caught last year than any other lake in the state. with graphite reproductions as good as they are now, i don’t think that any muskie should be killed. this is just my opinion. as i said in other posts, i didn’ move to the big lake for the walleye’s. they are down about 4 or 5 on the list. we’ll have to see how this spring goes with the carp, they (walleye’s) might move down to 6 on the list. it’s all about how much the rod bends!!!

Hey puddlepounder, remind me to show you some of Hooks muskie lures!!!!!!!I going to hang one on my mail box for and coversation piece! I’m not much for fishing them toothy beast’s.

You go Bobber!!! You sure know ALL about them so may as use one, no matter in the water or on the mailbox! Tim is right now downstairs working on a few, are you jealous you aren’t here to watch, lol

We would have to remove them there big hooks on’em……..