A WALLEYE CAPTURED during an Upper Peninsula survey. The public is invited to comment on a proposed walleye regulation change for several lakes in Dickinson and Iron counties. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is proposing a change in walleye regulations for Lake Antoine in Dickinson County and six lakes in Iron County.

Public input is invited during a discussion scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the Windsor Center, 612 W. Adams St. in Iron River.

The Iron County lakes are Lake Emily, Hagerman Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Ottawa, Stanley Lake and Winslow Lake. These lakes, along with Lake Antoine, now fall under the existing statewide regulation for walleye — a 15-inch minimum size requirement and a daily possession limit of five fish.

The regulation change would add a protected slot limit. Anglers would not be able to possess any walleye measuring between 18 inches and 23 inches.

The daily possession would be three fish. Anglers could possess fish 15 inches to 18 inches and only one walleye 23 inches or greater.

The main goal of the proposal is to increase spawning stock and promote long-term resiliency of walleye in more variable environmental conditions, the DNR said. Regulation changes such as this one must be approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, after soliciting public feedback.

The proposal also will be shared at the spring Conversations and Coffee meetings and through citizens advisory groups, the DNR said. Dates and times for the Conversations and Coffee meetings will be announced later.

Anyone unable to attend the Feb. 10 in-person meeting is invited to share their comments by completing a form available at https://forms.office.com/g/eLzNEe68ec. Comments shared in person and digitally will be considered.

The Management Plan for Walleye in Michigan’s Inland Waters was published in 2021 and provides a framework to guide walleye management efforts. To learn more about how the DNR manages Michigan’s fisheries, go to Michigan.gov/Fishing.