Fisheries staff with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will hold a meeting to gather public input as they review an existing experimental fishing regulation for northern pike on Big Fish Lake in Stearns County. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 6 to
8 p.m., at the Collegeville Township Hall, 27724 County Road 50, Cold Spring.
Under the current regulation, which has been in place on Big Fish Lake since 2005, all northern pike from 24 to 36 inches must immediately be released, and one northern pike over 36 inches is allowed in a possession limit of three.
Since the regulation has been in place, the average size of northern pike has decreased from
18 inches to 17 inches; the percentage of northern pike larger than
24 and 30 inches also has declined. Recent data suggests the fishery would be better served by applying the new statewide northern pike zone regulations adopted in 2018.
People who are unable to attend the meeting may submit written comments, which will be accepted through Oct. 10. For more information, or to comment, contact Joe Stewig, DNR Sauk Rapids area fisheries manager, 1035 South Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379, 320-223-7867, joe.stewig@state.mn.us.