...was positive, had Dunn more than cautiously optimistic. And he wasn't alone. "Things are on the way up," said Pat Schmalz, a DNR biologist. According to DNR numbers, annual fall inshore netting by the DNR was up from 7.2 walleyes per...

...premier walleye fishery. "My expectations are that things seem to be setting up for a pretty decent opening day," said Pat Schmalz, an Aitkin area fisheries treaty biologist. "In addition to just some warmer weather, there are some good class...

...stress fish and hooking mortality increases as water temperature increases. What does this mean for anglers? Payer and Pat Schmalz, a 1837 Treaty biologist out of Aitkin, said the DNR will need to revisit regulations. No harvest overage will be...

...One fish longer than 28 inches may be kept. "Beginning with the open-water season, that could change," said Pat Schmalz, an 1837 Treaty fisheries biologist out of Aitkin. "(The DNR) could change the slot. Chances are you're looking...