Special and experimental fishing regulations for walleye, bass, crappie, sunfish, northern pike and lake sturgeon will be the subject of nine public meetings that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will conduct in northern Minnesota in the coming weeks.

The DNR will use input gathered at these meetings to help determine whether to extend, modify or drop two existing experimental regulations and move forward with nine proposals for new special regulations. Also, the department will review a proposal to modify the existing angling season and minimum length requirement for lake sturgeon on Lake St. Croix and the St. Croix River in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“Fisheries managers welcome the opportunity to hear opinions from anglers,” said Al Stevens, DNR fisheries program consultant. “Public participation is critical in determining whether proposed and existing regulations are meeting angler expectations.”

For more information about a specific meeting, contact your local DNR fisheries office.

Written or verbal comments will be accepted at local fisheries offices up to 10 days following a local meeting. Telephone numbers and addresses of local fisheries offices can be found in the fishing regulations booklet.