(Orleans)– There’s good news for anglers on several of the Iowa Great Lakes and Storm Lake. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say the protected walleye slot limit will change from 19 to 25 inches on Big Spirit Lake, East and West Lakes Okoboji, Upper and Lower Gar, Minnewashta and Storm Lake. Currently there is a 17 to 22 inch slot limit on walleyes in those lakes. The change will be effective January 1st, 2022.
Fisheries biologist Mike Hawkins says it’s the result of the huge success in the DNR’s stocking program. He says they’re able to collect hundreds of millions of eggs each year from walleyes in the affected lakes.
DNR officials say they will continue to assess the regulations in the future and recommend any changes as needed.
