Last fall, the DNR found Mille Lacs walleye survey results so low (lowest since 1983) that they pushed the treaty harvest co-management arrangement into “condition three.” Yet, it was still pretty much business as usual this summer. Harder decisions would have to wait until a DNR technical group could take another look this fall.
Bad news. Survey results this fall are the lowest since 1972, and a continuation of a decline that began in 2009.
What can be done? Start with a common sense elimination of gill nets during spawning? Or schedule another study in the spring — after the next round of treaty harvest gillnetting walleye during spawning.
For nearly 20 years, members of PERM have been challenging the idea of using gillnets in Mille Lacs during walleye spawning season. PERM keeps pointing out how much this contradicts the DNR’s mission of stewardship to the governor, legislators, DNR, plus other state and agency officials.
You could do the same. Call the governor, attorney general, DNR commissioner, and your legislators (especially while they are candidates!) Demand that they take action and get involved, and publicly address treaty harvest issues.
If you want to learn more about saving Minnesota’s premier angling destination, come to PERM's Blainbrook event on Dec. 6.
