To protect spawning concentrations of walleye and allow them to disperse, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a delayed fishing opener for two bays in the Tower Fisheries Management Area. Boat travel is allowed through the areas that are closed to fishing.

A portion of Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake in Lake County will be closed to fishing from May 10 through May 16, and will reopen to fishing on Saturday, May 17. The portion of Pipestone Bay affected by the delayed opener is south of a direct line from Kosulainen Point to Gary Island to Caribou Point and then south to Pipestone Falls. The legal description of the affected area is Township 64, Range 11, and portions of Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22. 23.

Pike Bay of Lake Vermilion in St. Louis County will also be closed to fishing from May 10 through May 16, opening to fishing on Saturday, May 17. The portion of Pike Bay affected by the delayed opener is from the Pike River Dam to a north-south line at the narrowest portion between Echo Point and Puncher Point. The closed area also includes East Two River and West Two River between Highway 169 and Pike Bay. The legal description of the affected area is Township 61, Range 15, Section 6; Township 61, Range 16, Sections 1, 2, 3; Township 62, Range 15, Sections 19, 30, 31, 32; Township 62, Range 16, Section 25, 34, 35, 36.

The Pike River from the Pike River Dam to Pike Bay just north of the Pike River Hatchery will remain closed through May 31.

For more information about fishing, contact the DNR at www.mndnr.gov or call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).