Walleye Limits Now Increasing On Minnesota’s Second-Largest Inland Lake

Everyone who loves to fish for walleye in Minnesota is likely well aware that there are limits in place, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides updates on for anglers throughout the state.

Walleye limits in Minnesota are in place to ensure the sustainability of the walleye population for future generations of anglers. Having limits helps manage the harvest of walleye, preventing overfishing and allowing the fish population to replenish itself. The specific regulations vary by lake and year, reflecting the unique characteristics and health of each walleye population.

Based on the fish population and current conditions in a body of water, those walleye limits can change, even if only temporarily, and that is what is happening soon on Minnesota's second-largest inland lake.

Walleye Limit Change Coming To Mille Lacs Lake

Located in the counties of Mille Lacs, Aitkin, and Crow Wing, Mille Lacs Lake is a 132,516-acre lake that covers 207 square miles in Minnesota. The lake offers several trophy fishing opportunities, but it's best known for its phenomenal walleye catch rates.

Recently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced that the walleye limit on Mille Lacs Lake will increase from two to three beginning Saturday, August 23, and continuing through Sunday, November 30.

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It's important to note that the size limit, which allows anglers to harvest fish 17 inches or longer but only one longer than 20 inches, will remain in place.

Brad Parsons, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager, says maintaining a healthy walleye population while remaining within Minnesota's share of sustainable harvest is the ultimate goal.

“The slow bite this year allows the DNR to meet that primary goal and offer anglers the chance to take home an extra fish during the remainder of the season,” Parsons added.

The slow walleye bite on Mille Lacs Lake in 2025 is due to abundant forage in the lake from strong yellow perch and cisco hatches the previous year, which provide an alternative to anglers’ baits. With slower fishing, fewer anglers have fished the lake than in a typical year.

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According to the DNR, as of July 31, state-licensed anglers have harvested 23.5% of the state’s allocation of 113,600 pounds of walleye. The state and the Ojibwe Tribes, who retain harvest rights in the 1837 Treaty Area, jointly establish a sustainable harvest level each year, and that total harvest amount is then allocated between state-licensed anglers and Tribal anglers.

The slow walleye bite on Mille Lacs Lake in 2025 is due to abundant forage in the lake from strong yellow perch and cisco hatches the previous year, which provide an alternative to anglers’ baits. With slower fishing, fewer anglers have fished the lake than in a typical year.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated surveys showing ongoing state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch are available on the Minnesota DNR website.