Anglers fishing this summer on Upper Red Lake will have a three-walleye bag limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.
The DNR says anglers had an excellent winter season, harvesting 143,000 pounds of walleye. The annual harvest by state anglers is anticipated to fall within 120,000-240,000 pounds.
The three-walleye bag limit, with one over 17 inch size restriction, is intended to keep annual harvest within the target harvest range. Last summer, anglers harvested 131,000 pounds with a four-fish limit with one over 17 inches.
“Anglers need to remember to bring a good measuring device along with them on their trip to Upper Red Lake,” said Andy Thompson, Bemidji area fisheries supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Many walleye will measure just above, or just under, the 17-inch size restriction.”
The Red Lake Nation and the Minnesota DNR manage walleye harvest on Red Lake under a joint harvest plan that the Red Lakes Fisheries Technical Committee revised in 2015.
The DNR will determine the winter harvest regulations after the summer fishing season and the completion of fall assessment netting.
