DNR closes Mille Lacs to walleye fishing for 3 weeks

(KMSP) - Starting Thursday night, anglers will not be able to fish for walleye on Mille Lacs Lake for three weeks.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is enacting the temporary ban as the lake continues to struggle with the walleye population. For the second year in a row, anglers were only allowed to catch and release walleye, but the goal of the ban is to prevent fish from dying after being caught and released.

The lake will reopen to catch and release walleye fishing at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28 through Labor Day. Walleye fishing will then be closed from Sept. 5 through Nov. 20.

Mille Lacs has historically been a prime walleye destination, but lately resorts have been promoting the lake’s other species while the DNR works to restore the walleye population. Fishing for all other species, including bass, remains open.

Last week, Bassmaster Magazine named Mille Lacs the best bass fishing lake in the country. Mille Lacs will also host professional anglers for the second straight year as they compete in the angler of the year championship in September.