DNR, Mille Lacs Band meet to discuss walleye harvest

The Mille Lacs Band and the Department of Natural Resources are meeting Wednesday and Thursday to discuss walleye fishing on Lake Mille Lacs for the coming season.

Lake Mille Lacs is one of the state's most popular walleye lakes, fished by both tribal and non-tribal anglers. The two-day meeting is to determine the size of the allowable fish harvest this year.

Ed Boggess, director of fish and wildlife for the DNR, said the two groups meet to compare research and data on the health of the lake's walleye population.

He said once the two groups agree on the harvest target, it's up to the state and tribe to make sure they stay within the agreed limits.

"We'll make decisions if any adjustments to the state angling regulations are necessary sometime after this meeting," Boggess said.

Fishing has been good on Mille Lacs, meaning there's a chance the state may have to reduce the number of fish coming out the lake. The state will announce any decisions sometime next month.