Minnesota DNR officials discussed options for tightening regulations on walleye fishing in Mille Lacs during a meeting with residents and business owners Wednesday night.

As the packed meeting near Aitkin, a DNR official said the rules for this summer likely will allow anglers to keep a narrow range of walleyes, perhaps between 18 and 20 inches long. The limit may drop to two.

Limits on small mouth bass and northern pike, though, may be increased, because those fish eat young walleyes.

A ban on night fishing is also possible.

A guide told MPR that the restrictions will hurt business, but there should still be good fishing. There are concerns, though, that if the new annual harvest limit of 250,000 pounds from the lake — down from 500,000 pounds last year — is exceeded, that catch-and-release rules will be implemented.

Of the harvest total, sport fishermen will be allowed about 180,000 pounds of walleye, down from the 300,000 pounds caught last year.

The DNR will announce final regulations for the lake before the May season opener.