Rainy River & Lake of the Woods Walleye

By
Dave G.
– November 9, 2004Posted in: Fish & Hunt

Special regulations for Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River aim to maintain walleye, sauger populations

Following an extensive public input and review process, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that new size and possession limits for walleye and sauger would be implemented on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River starting Dec. 1, 2004.

The changes are intended to protect the high-quality fishery for which Lake of the Woods has become famous.

Key features of the new regulations are a six-fish aggregate limit during the open water season, of which only four can be walleye. During the winter season, anglers can keep an eight-fish aggregate limit, of which only four can be walleye.

In addition, all fish from 19.5 inches to 28 inches must be immediately released. Anglers can keep one fish over 28 inches if they so choose.

Lake of the Woods is managed with a maximum target harvest of 450,000 pounds of walleye. The average harvest over the past five years has exceeded 600,000 pounds, with peak harvests of more than 750,000 pounds in two of those five years. The high harvests have been driven by some strong year classes, but most importantly, by a steady increase in angler use of Lake of the Woods.

Similarly, sauger harvest in recent years has exceeded what biologists believe is sustainable on a long-term basis.

The Rainy River walleye population was included in the special regulations, as the walleye populations between the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods intermingle.

“Harvests of this magnitude are a concern to us because they can start to negatively affect the size structure of the fish population,” said Mike Larson, DNR area fisheries supervisor in Baudette.

“The large individuals in the walleye population on Lake of the Woods are not just important to anglers that are seeking a quality walleye experience. These fish also comprise the majority of the spawning population in the lake.”

The regulations were developed with the help of local resorts and anglers. “The input we received from our stakeholders was very important in developing a socially acceptable and biologically meaningful regulations proposal,” said Larson.

“The input we received during the public input process was largely supportive of the proposed changes, which we believe are an important step in insuring the future of the Lake of the Woods fishery. The DNR thanks the hundreds of anglers that took the time to offer their comments on this very important consideration.”

Summary of Regulation Changes

Lake of the Woods (including Fourmile Bay) – Walleye opener through Nov. 30

- walleye/sauger aggregate limit will be six (not more than four walleye) – walleye and sauger between 19.5 inches and 28 inches must be released immediately – only one walleye over 28 inches may be possessed.

Lake of the Woods (including Fourmile Bay) – Dec. 1 through end of February

- walleye/sauger aggregate limit will be eight (not more than four walleye) – walleye and sauger between 19.5 inches and 28 inches must be released immediately – only one walleye over 28 inches may be possessed.

Lake of the Woods (not including Fourmile Bay) – March 1 through April 14

- walleye/sauger aggregate limit will be eight (not more than four walleye) – walleye and sauger between 19.5 inches and 28 inches must be released immediately – only one walleye over 28 inches may be possessed.

Rainy River – Walleye opener through February

- walleye/sauger aggregate limit will be six (not more than four walleye) – walleye and sauger between 19.5 inches and 28 inches must be released immediately – only one walleye over 28 inches may be possessed.

Rainy River (including Fourmile Bay) – March 1 through April14

- walleye/sauger limit will be two – no walleye/sauger over 19.5 inches may be possessed.


Related Articles:

About Dave G.

Co-Founder, LakePlace.com