New regulations aimed at growing bigger northern pike (2002-12-26)
The chance of catching a large northern pike in certain Minnesota lakes should increase in coming years, thanks to special regulations set to take effect on 66 inland lakes and one stream when the Minnesota's 2003 fishing season opens in May, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Anglers who commented on the long-term decline of large northern pike in Minnesota's lakes prompted the regulations. In response, DNR fisheries managers compiled a list of 75 lakes with potential to grow larger northern pike if special regulations were implemented.
That list was pared down to 66 lakes after a public comment period and DNR staff review. Each of the lakes chosen will be regulated by one of the following size limits:
• 24- to 36-inch protected slot in which all fish between 24 and 36 inches must be immediately released
• 30-inch minimum in which all fish less than 30 inches must be immediately released
• 40-inch minimum in which all fish less than 40 inches must be immediately released.
The characteristics of the northern pike population were used to determine which regulation would be implemented on an individual lake. The 24- to 36-inch protected slot will cover lakes with abundant spawning habitat that could benefit from a harvest of small northern pike and have the potential to grow medium to large northern pike. The 30-inch minimum size limit covers lakes with medium to low densities of northern pike that have the potential to produce medium to large northern pike. The 40-inch minimum size limit will be used on lakes with quality northern pike populations that could produce trophy northern pike.
Originally, the DNR had intended to implement special northern pike regulations on 30 to 50 lakes, but broad public support prompted DNR fisheries managers to propose more lakes, according to Ron Payer, director of the DNR Division of Fisheries.
"The decline in northern pike size has been well documented," Payer said. "Anglers gave us a strong mandate to do something and there was a lot of interest in special regulations on targeted lakes."
The additional 66 lakes and one stream brings the total number of Minnesota lakes with special regulations for northern pike to 98 - still less than 1 percent of the 4,000 Minnesota lakes with northerns. Fisheries managers will continue to evaluate additional lakes that would benefit from special northern pike regulations, although Payer said additions will be limited.
Spearing will not be banned from lakes with special regulations unless it is banned under existing regulations. However, length restrictions make it challenging for spearing enthusiasts because it can be difficult to judge the size of a fish underwater.
