Regional fishing seasons for MN

[mistermom]

Just wondering what other people think about Minnesota using a regional approach to fishing seasons like some other states do. There is a lot of similiar type lakes in SW MN and the glacial lakes area of South Dakota (where the season doesn't close). But there are huge differences in the lakes as you head from the SW corner of MN to the NE corner of MN.....Just thought I would throw this out there. Thanks!

mistermom

[Surface Tension]

Hi mistermom. We sort of do have what you discribed. One example would be the slit bass opener. Then theres special regs. for some lakes with slot limits,reduced limits,tropy managment lakes and so on.
Its getting harder each year to keep up with the new changes.
Good Luck,ST

[mistermom]

ST
You are absolutely right about the North/South
split in the bass season. I was thinking more in terms of the walleye seasons. There are hundreds of lakes in the southern part of the state that are stocked with walleyes that don't have natural reproduction. Most of these lakes are shallow and become weed-choked by the end of May. Keeping the season closed on these lakes does not protect spawning walleyes. It basically limits anglers to a small window of opportunity to go after the walleyes in those lakes. Cedar lake in Scott co. would be an example. I think a lot of anglers heading for South Dakota in April would stay in state if there were lakes open to fishing here. And I don't think these lakes would be hurt by being open year round. Weather would be a major factor in keeping angler numbers down. Anyway, I guess I just wonder why some lakes close when it seems they don't need to.

mistermom