Anglers planning to visit Mille Lacs Lake for the fishing season opener will be permitted to retain three walleyes daily, as announced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

This three-fish limit will take effect on May 9, coinciding with the start of the open water fishing season. The walleyes caught must measure at least 17 inches in length, with the stipulation that only one fish over 20 inches can be kept. This regulation will remain in place until November 30.

Brad Parsons, the DNR’s fisheries section manager, expressed satisfaction in maintaining the three-walleye limit, which was also implemented during the previous summer’s open water season and ice fishing period. “We have received feedback from anglers emphasizing their desire to harvest walleyes from Mille Lacs when the population supports it, particularly early in the open-water season. The lake’s ongoing health allows us to provide this opportunity again this year,” he stated.

The harvest of walleyes from Mille Lacs is shared between state-licensed anglers and Ojibwe Tribes that possess treaty fishing rights. Each year, the state and Tribal Nations negotiate the annual harvest quota, with each entity establishing its own rules to ensure compliance with the allocated share.

This year’s harvest quota indicates a slight reduction in the adult walleye population based on last fall’s assessment. The state’s allocation is set at 105,300 pounds, a decrease from 113,600 pounds in 2025, while the Tribal fishing allocation stands at 79,700 pounds.

The DNR has indicated that it will make necessary adjustments to regulations during the season, which may include transitioning to a catch-and-release-only policy for a period, in order to prevent the harvest from exceeding established limits.

Additionally, the DNR urged anglers to clean and drain their boats and equipment before departing from the lake, and to properly dispose of unused bait in the trash.

John Lauritsen contributed to this report.