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Steve McComas: The lifespans of fish tell a story

If the eye of a 4-inch bluegill sunfish is bigger than the typical non-stunted 4-inch bluegill eyeball, the fish is likely stunted and older than it looks. Eyes keep growing even when the body length growth slows down. (Photo courtesy of Steve McComas)

Let’s consider the fish within a slot limit.
Minnesota’s Lake Mille Lacs for example had a recent walleye slot (which expires Nov. 30) of 20 to 23 inches with one over 28 inches. The new slot begins Friday, Dec. 1, when Mille Lacs anglers can keep one walleye 21 to 23 inches long or one longer than 28 inches. I was wondering how old those walleyes were in the slot, so I did some investigating.

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