Special regulations take effect March 1
A number of new fishing regulations will become effective March 1, 2012.
The changes, designed to maintain or improve fishing quality, are modifications to existing experimental and special regulations or the application of a regulation on a new body of water.
Regulation changes occur annually as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews the effectiveness of existing regulations, adjusts as necessary and considers new regulation proposals from the public.
Regulation changes are based on lake survey data, angler and citizen input, and fish management goals.
Regulation changes will be posted at the public accesses of all affected waters. They will also be included in the upcoming 2012 fishing regulation booklet.
Among the new regulations are:
E Big Sand Lake (Hubbard County): A permanent 20- to 28-inch protected slot limit on walleye will go into effect on Big Sand Lake. Anglers still may only keep one walleye longer than 28 inches. While experimental, the regulation improved abundance and size of walleye and public input largely favored making the regulation permanent.
E Hovde Lake (Cass County): Mandatory catch-and-release of all largemouth bass in Hovde Lake will become permanent. The regulation, which the public supported, resulted in a marked improvement in sizes of bass.
E Lester Lake (Hubbard County): Catch-and-release regulations will remain in effect for all species in Lester Lake, a small 55-acre lake located within the Lester Lake Aquatic Management/Scientific and Natural Area. The property was donated to the state with the intent to maintain its natural characteristics and the relatively pristine fish community. After taking public comment, a catch-and-release regulation enacted under a short-term emergency rule shortly after the property was acquired has been made permanent.
E Grand Rapids Area (Itasca County): Maintaining opportunities for quality panfish angling in the Grand Rapids area is the goal for reduced bag limits on three Itasca County lakes. New regulations limit anglers on Splithand Lake to five black crappie and five sunfish; a limit of five sunfish on Little Splithand; and a limit of five sunfish on Dixon Lake.
A number of new fishing regulations will become effective March 1, 2012.
The changes, designed to maintain or improve fishing quality, are modifications to existing experimental and special regulations or the application of a regulation on a new body of water.
Regulation changes occur annually as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews the effectiveness of existing regulations, adjusts as necessary and considers new regulation proposals from the public.
Regulation changes are based on lake survey data, angler and citizen input, and fish management goals.
Regulation changes will be posted at the public accesses of all affected waters. They will also be included in the upcoming 2012 fishing regulation booklet.
Among the new regulations are:
- Big Sand Lake (Hubbard County): A permanent 20- to 28-inch protected slot limit on walleye will go into effect on Big Sand Lake. Anglers still may only keep one walleye longer than 28 inches. While experimental, the regulation improved abundance and size of walleye and public input largely favored making the regulation permanent.
- Hovde Lake (Cass County): Mandatory catch-and-release of all largemouth bass in Hovde Lake will become permanent. The regulation, which the public supported, resulted in a marked improvement in sizes of bass.
- Lester Lake (Hubbard County): Catch-and-release regulations will remain in effect for all species in Lester Lake, a small 55-acre lake located within the Lester Lake Aquatic Management/Scientific and Natural Area. The property was donated to the state with the intent to maintain its natural characteristics and the relatively pristine fish community. After taking public comment, a catch-and-release regulation enacted under a short-term emergency rule shortly after the property was acquired has been made permanent.
- Grand Rapids Area (Itasca County): Maintaining opportunities for quality panfish angling in the Grand Rapids area is the goal for reduced bag limits on three Itasca County lakes. New regulations limit anglers on Splithand Lake to five black crappie and five sunfish; a limit of five sunfish on Little Splithand; and a limit of five sunfish on Dixon Lake.
