There has been no posted change at the DNR Fishing web site; I have never seen the DNR change a posted opening date in recent history. I purchased a new 2011 angling license and there was nothing unusal so far.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/seasons.html

The posted opening dates (copied and pasted here) are still May 14, 2011:

05/14/11 - 02/26/12

Walleye, sauger, northern pike - 2011 season

 

 

Just far north of cook county New reported Last night Only small portions of some Cook County lakes and streams along the Minnesota-Ontario border that traditionally hold concentrations of spawning walleye will be closed to fishing during the early part of the upcoming season, according to the Department of Natural Resources. These closures, the majority of which occur annually and are required by law, will not delay the walleye fishing opener on Saturday, May 14, on all other Cook County lakes and streams. Closed areas, concentrated along the Gunflint Trail northwest of Grand Marias, remain open for travel but are closed to fishing for short periods each year to prevent potential over-harvest of walleye that congregate during the spawning season. Closures on the border waters, required by state law and done in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, are enforced in Minnesota and Ontario. All areas closed to fishing will be posted. As in past years, the following areas were closed to fishing on Friday, April 1: * Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows will be closed through May 27 * Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31 * Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31 * Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border will be closed through May 31 * Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake will be closed through May 27. The following areas will be closed to fishing from Saturday, May 14, through Friday, May 27: * Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake * Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.

-- Edited by gms_mn on Wednesday 6th of April 2011 05:27:46 PM from fishing_news@listserv.dnr.state.mn.us>

-- Edited by gms_mn on Wednesday 6th of April 2011 05:29:53 PM

Closed areas, concentrated along the Gunflint Trail northwest of Grand Marias, remain open for travel but are closed to fishing for short periods each year to prevent potential over-harvest of walleye that congregate during the spawning season.

 

What......to prevent potential over-harvest of walleye that congregate during spawning season...............what about the nets from the bands??

protecting them...ya right!

-- Edited by Bobber on Thursday 7th of April 2011 05:38:25 AM

This was a quote from Steve Fellegy's article.

"While driving down the road earlier today, (Monday March 28th), I tuned into KKIN radio out of Aitkin Minnesota. My timing fell into the tail end of a call-in show with Minnesota DNR reps on hand to answer listener questions. By the time I tuned in, the host never did identify the DNR reps so I have no idea who did the call-in answering.

Interestingly, the first caller I heard asked, in so many words...... "why is the gill-netting of walleyes allowed on Mille Lacs during the spawn?" Amazingly, the DNR answer was, basically,,......" no big deal as it doesn't matter if you take a walleye in February or April". He added in so many words, "this type of fishing is done in many other areas without a problem."

Last summer, I heard the same answer from DNR fisheries managers while in a meeting with Mn. Legislators and Tribal reps. "No difference between taking a fish during the spawn or whenever.""

But yet another DNR Rep says they are delaying the opener for reasons of over harvesting. I'm not getting it.