Minnesota DNR seeking input on fishing rules

OUTDOORS

Proposed new limits would aim to protect larger sunfish in several lakes

By Brad Dokken

Forum News Services

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing a five-sunfish limit on Rabideau Lake in Beltrami County and is seeking public input on the proposal, as well as proposed new special regulations on several other waters across the state, the agency said in a news release.

The 680-acre lake is located in Chippewa National Forest near Blackduck, Minn. Rabideau “has a history of producing big bluegill in the absence of winterkill conditions,” the DNR said in a report on the most recent lake survey, conducted in July 2021. The survey produced “a high proportion” of bluegills over 8 inches, with fish over 10 inches in length sampled.

Another proposal would maintain a four-walleye limit on Rainy Lake in Koochiching and St. Louis counties, with an 18- to 26-inch protected slot and one walleye over 26 inches allowed in the four-fish limit.

In Otter Tail County, the DNR is proposing a 20-fish sunfish limit, with only five over 8 inches allowed, on North and South Ten Mile, Jewett, German and Rush lakes. The goal is to allow anglers to keep small sunnies, while protecting and spreading out the harvest of larger fish, the DNR said.

The regular statewide sunfish limit on Minnesota inland waters is 20, with no size restrictions.

The DNR regularly reviews all existing fishing regulations, proposes new special regulations that apply to individual waters and asks for input about them. The DNR also is proposing regulation changes to seven other lakes:

• Sand Lake walleye (Itasca County).

• Platte Lake sunfish (Crow Wing County).

• Sullivan Lake sunfish (Morrison County).

• Green Prairie Fish Lake sunfish (Morrison County).

• Long (Higgins) Lake sunfish (Todd County).

• Moose Lake sunfish (Todd County).

• Maple Lake sunfish (Todd County).

The DNR is taking input on the proposals via an online survey — mndnr.gov/fishing/special-fishing-regulations-input.html — through Sept. 30. For additional details or to comment directly by email, U.S. mail or phone about individual proposals, contact the area fisheries office — mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries — for the proposal on which you wish to comment.

The Minnesota DNR also will host an in-person open house in the Twin Cities metro area to cover all proposals, but the time has yet to be determined.