Home Fishing Industry & Conservation Mille Lacs Walleye to be Catch and Release

Mille Lacs Walleye to be Catch and Release

Walker Smith
Feb 20, 2017

There has been a fair amount of controversy surrounding the walleye fishing on Minnesota’s famed Lake Mille Lacs, and this year will likely be no different. According to KTSP.com, a member of the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Council confirmed that this summer’s walleye fishing will be catch and release only.

The ruling is meant to help bring back a declining walleye population.

This comes after B.A.S.S. visited Mille Lacs for the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship in September 2016. Not only were the anglers catching loads of giant smallmouth, but they were also reporting hundreds of accidental walleye catches. Many of the veteran anglers remarked on-stage about the incredible walleye population in Mille Lacs.

The same announcement was made last spring for the summer of 2016. It was met with public outcry from both anglers and business alike.

Walker Smith

An accomplished tournament angler and former fishing guide, Walker Smith has been published in many national and regional publications for well over a decade. His articles and videos have been viewed by millions of people. He has a strong passion for teaching others about fishing while connecting with the human element of fishing as well. When he’s not fishing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, watching the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs and hunting.