Walleye Regulation Change for 2027

Walleye Regulation Change for 2027
Status	In progress for the 2027 season
Current regulation	Maximum of 3 per day, no minimum size, only 1 over 14”
Proposed regulation	15” minimum length limit, 20-24” protected slot, only 1 over 24”, 3 daily
Harvestable (ceded territory standard)	22% of population
90% mature	Males by 13”, females by 18”
Group vote	All were in favor

Walleye story

On Squirrel Lake, 90% of male walleye can reproduce at a length of 13 inches. 90% of female walleye can reproduce at 18 inches.
The hook and line regulation on Squirrel Lake for the last 40 years is a maximum of 3 walleyes total of 14 inches and below with 1 walleye over 14 inches. This regulation promotes the over harvest of young walleyes not yet to reproductive length. It also drove additional external hook and line fishermen to our lake because they could easily catch and keep small walleyes.
The ceded territory regulation is a maximum of 3 walleye between 15 inches to 20 inches with 1 over 24 inches. This will allow more walleye to at least reproduce 1 season before harvest. It will also align Squirrel Lake with all other ceded territory lakes.
The regulation change is in progress for the 2027 season. DNR Fisheries Biologist Nathan Lederman is working through the approval process.
Many people blame tribal spearing for the decline in the Squirrel Lake walleye population, but that is not true. It is the current hook and line regulation that has been in place for over 40 years that is causing the over harvest of small walleyes not yet to reproductive length.

Source: Bryan Haack, Walleye story

	Current regulation	Proposed for 2027
Daily limit	Maximum of 3 per day	3 daily
Length	No minimum size	15” minimum length limit with a 20-24” protected slot
Larger fish	Only 1 over 14”	Only 1 over 24”

Squirrel Lake walleye regulation – Nathan Lederman DNR Fisheries Biologist for Oneida County
Nathan opened the discussion about the current walleye regulations on Squirrel Lake and the possibility of changing them.

The current walleye regulation is driving over harvest walleyes
The current walleye regulation encourages external lake traffic to keep small walleyes
As recommended by Nathan and Brandon, allow walleyes to spawn once before harvesting
Ceded Territory Walleye Regulation:
- Maximum of 3 per day
- Slot size 15” to 20”
- Only 1 over 24”
The ceded territory walleye regulation allows more walleyes to reach reproductive length before being harvested. 90% of males mature by 13” and 90% of females mature by 18”
WE IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM CONTRIBUTING TO THE SQUIRREL LAKE WALLEYE POPULATION DECLINE – The current Squirrel Lake hook and line walleye regulation promotes the over harvest of young walleyes.
THE SOLUTION – Change the walleye regulation to the ceded territory standard
WE TOOK A VOTE – All were in favor of the regulation change
What is next – Nathan will create a Squirrel Lake fish survey. The survey will get posted to get feedback from the community. Nathan will progress the regulation change through the formal DNR process for approval to be implemented next year.

Allow fish to spawn at least once before being harvested
Current regulation: No minimum, 1 > 14”
Squirrel Lake walleyes: Males mostly mature by 13” | Females mostly mature by 18”

Harvest-oriented regulations place higher pressure on immature fish
Angling regulation change and habitat improvements offer greatest “bang-for-the-buck” for current walleye population

Chart	Printed on chart
Ceded Territory Standard (15 inch min, 20-24 protected)	22% of population harvestable
18” Min	11-13% of population harvestable
12” Min	84 - 70% of population harvestable