The Northern Highland Fishery Research Area (NHFRA) is looking for walleye anglers to help contribute to data collection for a project studying the effects of predetermined harvest pressures on a previously unexploited walleye population. The season opener for this effort will be Saturday, June 8.
This walleye study will take place on Escanaba Lake; however, the NHFRA is comprised of five lakes (Escanaba, Nebish, Pallette, Spruce and Mystery), all of which are open to public angling.
Since 1946, these lakes have been continuously managed for experimental fisheries research. A mandatory creel survey of all anglers who fish the NHFRA has allowed scientists to gather over 75 years of data on angler demographics and harvest, leading to one of the largest creel datasets in the world.
To help with walleye research, anglers are needed to harvest enough walleye to meet the annual quota. If the quota is met before the season’s closing day, March 2, 2025, walleye fishing is prohibited until the following second Saturday in June.
The following walleye fishing regulations are now in place on Escanaba Lake:
- 15-inch minimum length limit
- 20-24 inch protected no harvest slot length limit
- Daily bag limit: Three walleye, with only one walleye over 24 inches allowed
Restrictions vary among the NHFRA’s other lakes due to various research project needs, but current restrictions on all lakes can be found by visiting the Fish the NHFRA homepage.
