New Walleye Regulations 2006!

[Sportland_Bait]

Many of you already probably know but starting in the 2006 walleye season the new regulations state that an angler can only keep one walleye over 20 inches in their 6 fish limit on all inland waters. It just caught my eye today in the regulation book.

Jason Erlandson

[lunker651]

I think that's good cause I don't eat any eyes over 20" anyway and only keep one if it's 30" or more for a mount. I think it's about time they make a change. They should do this for border rivers too.

[Sportland_Bait]

Right on, I think it is a step in the right direction.

Jason Erlandson

[HarryG]

I think it is about time. Soon there will be more fish to catch as these 20+ will be in the lake to reproduce instead of on the plate.

['eyesmaster89]

Very good move towards better fishin. I wish they would make regulations like this on other fish. SUch as them big slab crappies or big bull bluegills. It should only mean better fishin in the future.

[Captain B.R.K]

Having some of those larger walleyes released back in the water just might help improve natural spawing. Of course we have to worry about water temps, water levels, etc., etc. to worry about but this new law is definately in the right direction!!

[Borch]

Should definitely help with lakes producing larger fish. As far as the spawn goes in those lakes that walleyes actually spawn in there should be greater numbers given good conditions like Capt mentioned. In lakes where there is marginal to no natural reproduction and walleye populations are maintained by DNR stocking there will just be more trophy potential.

It works for me. I don't keep many over 20" any ways.

[fisherking01]

I too am in favor of this reg. When the law went to 1 over 24 there was a 1 over 20 inch law that got shot down. I was on a lake less than 300 acres last spring and the walleyes were hitting like crazy. I watched two boats double trip and take fish that were 22-26 inches. they obviously had too many over 24, I called them in and waited but no one showed up and they went on their merry way. I inquired if they knew the regs and they said I shouldn't worry about what they were doing, "its none of your business". In retrospect of the situation, I now have the 3 local conservation officer's numbers in my cell phone. I suggest you do the same. Also don't be shy to remind anglers about the new regulation, You'd be suprised how many do not know the regulations.

[eyepatrol]

I like the reg. Personally, the max. size of eater walleye I'll keep is right around 18" - 18.5". Anything over that I'll throw back simply because 1)I just don't like to keep anything bigger than that and 2)I'm the only one (except for my 2yr old boy) who eats fish in the house and one fish at 18" or so is more than he and I can handle. That's just me though. I know there are families where everybody eats fish.

It'll be interesting in about 5 years to see if or what type of affect this has on waters throughout the state. Hopefully it means more natural reproduction and perhaps a greater opportunity at a trophy fish in years to come.

[RipJigger]

I think it's a great idea,now how about a minimum size limit.I dont know how many times i've seen boatloads of 12" walleyes coming out of the lake.

[eyechaser99]

I have a question about this new reg. Can there be only 1 over 20 in a boat or 1 over 20 per person?

[Chef]

One per license holder.

I like the new reg too.

[metrojoe]

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't even looked at the new regs yet. Shouldn't effect my walleye fishing too much, aside from the fact that it should only get better.

[Chris Haley]

I don't know how many emails I sent last year to reps from minnesota to make sure they voted for this!!!!! As a guide it just kills me to put a knife to a fish over 20" As much as I would try to talk them out of it, sometimes they would still insist on keeping the fish. And after all they are paying you VERY good money to take them out and it was their right under the old laws.

Definately long overdue!!!!

[White-tips]

Perfect. It's about time.