Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

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Governor Mark Dayton says he's going to insist that the Department of Natural Resources allow ice fishing on Lake Mille Lacs this winter. 


 
Dayton's comments come as the DNR is under heavy pressure from resort and other business owners to allow walleye fishing on Lake Mille Lacs this winter. The department closed the summer walleye fishing season early last month after the state exceeded its quota on the lake. 

'Empty lake': Struggling Mille Lacs resorts hope for winter walleye


Dayton said he understands the need for a winter season and is urging the DNR to get it done.


"It's crucial that we get a good winter fishing season for Mille Lacs and I will insist that there be one," Dayton said.

Dayton's comments undercut DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr's statement that the department won't be able to determine ice fishing rules until scientists do a fall count of the fish in the lake. It also precedes the state's annual negotiations with Native American tribes on the amount of fish that can be removed from the lake.

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Dayton left no doubt Thursday that the premier lake would have a winter season after the summer fishing season got suspended early.

Dayton to demand Mille Lacs open for walleye ice fishing

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