The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced it is adjusting sport angler daily walleye bag limits on 250 lakes speared by Chippewa Bands in the Ceded Territory. Wisconsin’s inland fishing season opens Saturday.

“This year’s early spring gave us the opportunity to make final adjustments in bag limits for the first time ever before the opening of fishing season,” said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. “Fishing is the cornerstone of the North’s tourism industry. People are eager to get this information as early as possible.”

The early warm spring weather followed by a cool spell lead to a long spearing season. Tribal spearers have harvested 32,308 walleye from 184 different lakes, through April 30; tribal declarations had totaled 54,507 walleye.

Of the roughly 900 walleye lakes in the Ceded Territory, 165 will have a daily sport angler bag limit of three; 83 will have a daily bag limit of two; one will have a daily bag limit of one, and one lake will be catch and release only. All other lakes will have a daily bag limit of five unless otherwise listed in the 2012-13 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations.