Walleye bag limits stay the same for Upper Red, Mille Lacs this winter

Walleye limits on Mille Lacs and Upper Red Lake won’t change for the winter season.

In news releases, the Department of Natural Resources cited healthy population trends as the reason for keeping things the same.

State-licensed anglers can keep two walleye 18-20 inches long or one walleye of the same length and one longer than 28 inches on Mille Lacs Lake.

“Mille Lacs’ walleye population is trending in a good direction for both adult and juvenile fish,” said Brad Parsons, the DNR fisheries section manager. “Juvenile perch and tullibee, important forage species for walleye, also are abundant.”

On Upper Red, the limit is four, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.

“Our fall assessment placed us in a surplus condition, which allows us to set a more liberal target harvest,” Parsons said.

“The state waters of Upper Red Lake have a high number of spawning aged female walleye. We’re also seeing abundant numbers of young walleye, which bodes well for the future.”

Winter fishing regulations begin Dec. 1 and last until Feb. 23.

Harvests for both lakes are agreed upon by the state and local tribes. State-licensed anglers share the Mille Lacs harvest with Ojibwe tribes that retain treaty fishing rights, and management on Red Lake is a collaborative effort with Red Lake Nation.