Share: Surveys conducted on the Minocqua Chain support the extension of the walleye catch and release season to benefit natural populations. A public hearing is set for May 24 to discuss this extension into 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR Regulations proposed to extend until 2025 MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss extending the catch and release walleye regulations on the Minocqua Chain of Lakes in Oneida County at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 24. Although stocking efforts and years of no harvest have allowed the walleye population to increase, natural reproduction has not shown necessary improvements. Recent population surveys have shown a low abundance of male walleye in two of the lakes. The low abundance of male walleye in hatcheries, and subsequently in certain lakes stocked by these hatcheries, is currently being assessed by the DNR and other experts in this field to determine the cause and address this issue.