Dayton starts special session legwork for Mille Lacs Lake

Dayton is calling for a special session to help the Mille Lacs Lake economy and save the walleye fishing season. Biologists say the walleye population on Mille Lacs Lake has dwindled for a variety of reasons.

Biologists from the state and elsewhere who have studied the lake maintain that the nets aren’t to blame and that other processes, some not fully understood, are reducing walleye survival on the legendary lake. Lawmakers started to assemble a working group charged with hashing out the scope and size of a relief package that may include zero interest loans and help refinancing existing loans, property tax abatements and advertising dollars. Dayton has said a state decision to end the season as early as next week could be grounds for an assistance package, which would require legislative approval.

At the town hall meeting, Dayton announced the Mille Lacs Band has agreed to forgo netting on Lake Mille Lacs until next year.

An early end to the walleye season could be dire to area resorts that depend on fishing expeditions to stay afloat.

Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set a 40,000-pound catch limit on walleye this fishing season on the popular lake, of which 11,600 pounds was earmarked for eight Indian tribes in Minnesota and Wisconsin – including the Mille Lacs Band – under treaty rights established 178 years ago.

We agree that we need to take action, but our only approach should not be temporary, short-term fixes.

The governor defended the need to step in with relief for one small industry.

MPR reports the band announced the decision shortly before Gov. Mark Dayton held a town meeting in Isle, in which he addressed concerns about the declining walleye population and the impact on local businesses of the imminent angling shutdown. Big Cormorant Lake is not stocked because it is a breeding area for walleye. Together we will examine the problem and determine the best solution. “But you have to remember the people of Mille Lacs band, they care about the fish and the lake”.

Dayton spoke Tuesday with Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and House Speaker Kurt Daudt about the situation.

“This is not going to be an immediate turnaround, but I think we owe it to the businesses there, we owe it to the state of Minnesota itself to make every effort to turn that lake around”, Dayton said.