Lake Winnibigoshish walleye regulations to be discussed at two meetings
Anglers who fish for walleye on Lake Winnibigoshish and connected waters will have a chance to discuss experimental fishing regulations with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff at two meetings in October.
The meetings are scheduled for:
* Monday, Oct. 11, 6 to 8 p.m., at Bug-O-Nay-Gee-Shig School, on Highway 2 between Cass Lake and Bena.
* Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6 to 8 p.m., at Minnesota Interagency Fire Center Training Room, 402 SE 11th Street, in Grand Rapids.
The meetings will begin with a short presentation describing changes in the walleye fishery since 2000, when the DNR implemented regulations requiring anglers to immediately release all walleye 17-to 26-inches in length. Staff will explain several options to change the regulations. DNR Fisheries staff will be present to answer questions and take comments about whether to continue or modify the regulation.
The current protected slot limit of 17- to 26-inches has resulted in increased angler catch rates, increased spawner stock biomass and increased consistency of walleye recruitment, according to Chris Kavanaugh, DNR area fisheries supervisor. He said that a number of regulation scenarios have been modeled to estimate the long-term effect on the walleye population. Four regulation options would maintain the benefits achieved and will be discussed.
Anglers will be asked to provide input on whether they prefer the present regulation of 17- to 26- inch protected slot with a bag limit of six or four, or modifying the slot to an 18- to 26-inch protected slot with a bag limit of six or four. Each of these options would also include only one walleye larger than 26 inches in possession. Kavanaugh said that models of options including a more liberal slot show that spawning stock may decline to below goals.
Written comments may be submitted through Friday, Oct. 22, to the DNR Area Fisheries office, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, or by e-mail to chris.kavanaugh@state.mn.us.
