Minnesota DNR Cuts Yellow Perch Restrict on Mille Lacs Lake

Yellow perch anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will face tighter limits starting Monday, because the strikes to rein in harvest and shield the lake’s long-term stability because the Minnesota Division of Pure Assets strikes to rein in harvest and shield the lake’s long-term stability.

Underneath the brand new regulation, the every day and possession restrict for yellow perch drops from 10 fish to 5. The change takes impact Feb. 9 and can stay in place by way of Nov. 30, 2026.

DNR officers say the adjustment is required to maintain the state inside its allotted share of the annual perch harvest whereas sustaining a wholesome inhabitants. Yellow perch should not solely a well-liked goal for anglers but in addition play a key function within the lake’s ecosystem as a main forage species for walleye and different predators.

“Many anglers have loved good perch fishing this winter on Mille Lacs Lake, even higher than final winter,” mentioned Brad Parsons, fisheries part supervisor for the Minnesota DNR. “Our perch harvest every of the final two years has been greater than double what it was in earlier years going again to 2012.”

In accordance with the DNR, the state’s perch harvest has surged in current seasons as angler success elevated. For 2026, Minnesota’s share of the allowable perch harvest is about at 36,500 kilos. As of Jan. 18, anglers had already harvested greater than 17,000 kilos from the lake.

Harvest ranges on Mille Lacs are set cooperatively every year by the state and Ojibwe Tribes, which retain treaty fishing rights on the lake. The shared administration strategy is designed to make sure the mixed harvest stays inside biologically sustainable limits.

Whereas the DNR says the perch fishery stays wholesome, officers stress that proactive changes are mandatory when harvest accelerates.

“The perch inhabitants being excessive sufficient to attract important angler curiosity is a optimistic signal for the well being of the lake,” Parsons mentioned. “On the similar time, it’s essential to handle harvest fastidiously in order that stability is maintained for the longer term.”

Present Mille Lacs Lake rules and up to date harvest knowledge can be found by way of the Minnesota DNR’s web site.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning out of doors journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com