The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Friday announced an additional rule change designed to attract national bass fishing tournaments to Mille Lacs Lake.
In an adjustment to a rule change announced earlier this week, the DNR will now allow anglers competing in catch-and-release bass tournaments on Mille Lacs to possess and sort their catches, regardless of size. The previous rule allowed anglers to sort only bass that were smaller than 18 inches.
The new rule, with the adjustment announced Friday, will also allow tournament anglers practicing catch-and-release to possess and sort fish that are larger than 18 inches, up to a full limit of six. Outside of catch-and-release tournament competition, bass anglers on Mille Lacs will still be allowed to possess just one bass over 18 inches.
“We are continuing to respond to the economic needs of the Mille Lacs Lake area, and we have heard from tournament anglers that sorting larger fish would do even more to help attract large tournaments,” said DNR commissioner Tom Landwehr. “Attracting several big-name catch-and-release bass tournaments to Mille Lacs will provide a lasting boost to the local economy.”
