ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources issued Tuesday the beginnings of a plan to boost Mille Lacs Lake’s declining walleye population, starting with studies that could lead to tighter regulations for one of Minnesota’s most popular fisheries.

The DNR said it plans to convene a panel of experts to review past and current management practices. It also plans to contract out for a review of how it conducts fish population estimates. And it plans a new study to determine how predator fish such as northern pike and smallmouth bass affect the survival of young walleyes.