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2027 Proposed Experimental and Special Fishing Regulations

Proposed Changes to Experimental and Special Fishing Regulations for 2027

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering changes to several experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2027 fishing season.

Each year, the DNR proposes experimental and special fishing regulations. Experimental regulations have a set evaluation period, after which the DNR must determine whether the change should become permanent. Special regulations are selected from a suite of regulation toolbox options that have proven effective at achieving specific goals. Special regulations do not have an end date, although the DNR reviews their performance as part of an individual lake’s management planning cycle.   

 

The DNR is considering regulation changes that would affect the following fisheries:

  • Cedar Lake near Annandale (Wright County) - Sunfish
  • Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mine Pits (Crow Wing) - Northern pike
  • German Lake (Otter Tail County) - Sunfish
  • Hovde Lake (Cass County) - Sunfish
  • Mink Lake and Somers Lake (Wright County) - Sunfish, walleye, and minnows
  • Namakan Reservoir Lakes (St. Louis County) - Walleye
  • North Ten Mile Lake and South Ten Mile Lake (Otter Tail County) - Sunfish
  • Pine Lake (Cass County) - Northern pike
  • Pleasant Lake (Stearns County) - Sunfish
  • Rush Lake (Otter Tail County) - Sunfish


Please complete this survey to provide your input on these potential regulation changes.  If you are only interested in some of the lakes, feel free to skip questions that you do not want to provide input for. Your input will be considered before the final decision is made on the proposal. This survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be open through September 30th, 2026.



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Namakan Reservoir Lakes (St. Louis County) - Walleye

The Namakan Reservoir Lakes include Namakan, Kabetogama, Sand Point, Little Vermilion, and Crane Lakes situated along the Minnesota/Ontario border. The current experimental regulation was implemented in 2019 and allows a possession limit of 6 walleye and sauger combined, with only 4 being walleye. All walleye from 18” to 26” must be immediately released and only one walleye over 26” is allowed in possession. This regulation has proven effective at stabilizing the fishery to allow great fishing opportunity while keeping harvest at or below the target harvest levels. The current regulation will expire on March 1, 2027. Because of the regulation’s effectiveness, the DNR is proposing to continue it as a special regulation. 

1.  

How much do you support continuing the current regulation as a special regulation on Namakan Reservoir Lakes (possession limit of 6 walleye and sauger combined, only 4 can be walleye. All walleye from 18” to 26” must be immediately released and only one walleye over 26” is allowed in possession)? 

2.  

Do you ever fish Namakan Reservoir Lakes?

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