Smallies Take One for the Team on Mille Lacs

Schizophrenic Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations have bass anglers up in arms about one of the hottest lakes in Minnesota’s North Country, Lake Mille Lacs. A tremendous trophy smallmouth fishery, recent drastic changes have one primary goal in mind: improve the walleye population. At the risk of sounding like a Smothers Brothers sitcom routine with “Mom always liked you better,” it seems the walleye has won that brotherly slugfest. Only here “Mom” is the Minnesota DNR.

Anglers, resort owners, area businesses, and tourists are all frustrated about the walleye experience on Mille Lacs. Not about catching, though, it is about keeping, and that is regulated by the state DNR. Bass anglers say 10-plus years of over-regulated and picayune slot limits on Mille Lacs, in part, have created the problem. Why penalize the spectacular bass fishery that has evolved? “There are lots of 18-plus inch ...READ ON