The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is announcing a temporary fishing closure on three major tributaries to the Red Lakes to protect spawning walleyes. All of the Tamarac River, Shotley Brook from Roger’s Campground bridge upstream, and the Blackduck River north of County Road 32 will be closed during this period.

These tributaries will be closed to all angling and rough fish spearing beginning Saturday, April 16, and will most likely remain closed through Friday, May 13. DNR Fisheries staff will be monitoring walleye spawning activity in the Tamarac River and may rescind the closure earlier if the walleye run appears to be over. Major access points will be posted during the period of closure.

One major difference between this year’s closure and those previous is that all of the Tamarac River will be closed this year.

Walleye harvest has been prohibited on the Red Lakes during the past six years to allow the population to recover from over-fishing. According to the DNR, the recovery effort is going well with numbers of spawning walleye increasing substantially.

Meanwhile, an exceptional crappie fishery developed on Upper Red Lake, which has been a real benefit for local communities, while the walleye population recovers. But as interest in Red Lake crappie fishing continues, there is concern that spring angling in tributary streams could hinder the walleye recovery.

“Although we’ve prohibited all walleye harvest on the Red Lakes, we need this temporary fishing closure on the tributaries to reduce incidental hooking mortality of spawning walleye,” said Gary Barnard, DNR Bemidji Area Fisheries supervisor. “We have a big investment in the Red Lake recovery effort and it makes sense to protect walleye during this short period when they’re really vulnerable.”

Upper Red Lake will remain open for crappie fishing. Boat access from the Tamarac River to the lake will continue to be allowed.