DNR top 10 Walleye Lakes.

[bassNspear]

saw this on there HSOforum tonight. What you all think of this.

Cass, Kabetogama, Lake of the woods, Leech, Mille Lacs, Pepin, Rainy, Red, Vermilion, Winnibigoshish.

[gunflint]

I'd say it looks about right, What do they mean by top 10? Numbers, size, overall?

[bassNspear]

overall

[bassNspear]

im sure they broke it up into different categories and broke it down with a overall score.

[Team Otter]

Until Leech regains its population, I would replace it with either Otter Tail or Osakis. Now, if the results were from '90 - '95, I would say it's right on target.

[bassNspear]

i was just looking at it again on the MN DNR site, Its the ten largest walleye lakes. Heres link

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/results.html?group=39000200,04003000,69084500,11020300,48000200,25000100,69069400,04003500,69037800,11014700

[Sonicrunch]

How 'bout a top 10 in the metro area?

Minnetonka

Waconia

WBL

Prior

???

[bassNspear]

Not sure bud, you might want to ask someone that is a huge walleye guy. That not me

[Mike Walerak]

Quote:

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Pepin

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Possibly one of the most overlooked fisheries in the state. The only problem is it can be a tough bite by mid summer while many others are going strong.

[Team Otter]

You can always go after the giant drum.

[Gator Slayer]

I see the muskies have knocked gull off the list already

[Capt.Blaine]

Even if they are not the top 10 best walleyes lakes, they still provide really good fishing due to slot limits.

[Eyehawk]

They forgot Basswood Lake, that is another lake that is a top walleye fishery and there is no slot! Which is nice.

[Bigsmitty]

Whew! Im glad they didnt post the lake I fish. I guess its still a secret.

[Capt.Blaine]

Bigsmitty, you must be talking about that lake with those islands and a few trees surrounding it.

[bassNspear]

I thought it was a very interesting 10 top

[Central Bassman]

I would have to say that Gull should be on there... At least for me it is!!!

[bassNspear]

nice lake

[Bigsmitty]

Capt.Blaine....Have you been following me? I snuck through those trees and hid behind one of the islands and you still found my spot huh?

[Scott M]

Pepin, man that lake is really something, but it is so productive that it's hard to get a bite at any time of the year. It's a freakin' shad factory.

These ten lakes are very special and really make MN "THE" walleye state in the country. 40% of walleye production comes from these ten lakes, Mille Lacs obviously being the jewel. The DNR HSOforum says Mille Lacs has 3-4 pounds of walleye per acre and regularly produces more walleyes than all the state's hatcheries combined! Nothing but a giant spawning shoal so it figures.

Siiigggghhh. Now I want to be out on the ice, waiting for that big old slot walleye to come on the flasher....

[Great Outdoors]

Eyehawk,

There is no slot on Basswood, but there is a one over 20 inch limit like there is statewide, in Jackfish Bay, Pipestone Bay, Back Bay, Hoist Bay, and I believe Wind Bay. The no size limit is only where the northern pike season is open year around. The regs are very vague on this.

As for one of the top average size walleye lakes in the state, that would have to be Burntside Lake by Ely.

[Bluegills1512]

I know this, Great Outdoors. I am just greatful I get to fish with some very nice locals and they have never disappointed me with bad fishing, because we always limit out with nice fish and have a good time. There is a slot for northerns 24-36"? Why? The lake is huge, just like Mille Lacs, you can't tell me there is not an abundant number of huge northern pike in Basswood because of its sheer size. Who really goes there to fish northern, besides a few Ely locals, because majority people who visit Ely or are from the area fish walleye. But whatever I guess.

[Capt.Blaine]

To bad Burntside is so clear and full of smelt. Walleye fishing out on that lake is TOUGH!

[Walleye71]

Eyehawk, are you talking about the Basswood Lake up by Ely?

[Great Outdoors]

Bluegills1512,

I will check on this slot limit for northerns tomorrow. Northern season on Basswood closes the same time as the regular fishing season, on certain bays, as do walleyes. Walleye stays open until approximately April 14th, and Northerns are open year around on others with no slot limit. I'll get back to you for clarification.The regs are extremely vague, and you have to go to 2 different sections to find them. I called the DNR and complained about this last summer and they said they would work on it. We'll see!!!