State-licensed ice anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep two walleye 18-20 inches long, or one walleye 18-20 inches long and one walleye longer than 28 inches, from Dec. 1 to Feb. 23, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday.

After years of contemplating a reduction in Minnesota’s longtime, six-walleye daily bag limit, the Department of Natural Resources is moving to lower it to four. State Fisheries Chief Brad Parsons told the Minnesota Star Tribune last Thursday that the shift will take place in 2026 unless agency leaders change their minds during an upcoming public comment period.

Resort owners said the walleye limit announcement will get ice anglers excited for the winter season but they know all too well from last year, it will be all weather permitting.

The Minnesota DNR is reportedly moving to lower the daily limit from six — where it has stood since 1956 — to four, which would go into effect in 2026.

Due to excellent results in the fall netting assessment of walleye on Upper Red Lake, the winter season walleye limit on Upper Red will continue to be a four fish possession limit, with only one walleye longer than 17 inches allowed.

The two-fish limit is a continuation from August, and is decided on following discussions between the state and Ojibwe tribes.

State-licensed ice anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep two walleye 18-20 inches long, or one walleye 18-20 inches and one walleye longer than 28 inches, from Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, to Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.