ST. PAUL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has drawn up a restocking plan for walleye in Lake Mille Lacs, a step that hasn’t been taken before on the iconic lake.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr said Thursday if the agency moves ahead, some initial actions could be taken this year to capture eggs that would be taken to a hatchery and stocking could begin in spring. Gov. Mark Dayton said he supports an “all-out stocking” program to help improve the walleye population in the massive lake.

“I’m for everything that can reasonably put walleye back in that lake and grow walleye in that lake and do so as soon as possible,” Dayton said at a news conference.

The DNR closed the walleye fishing season on Mille Lacs on Monday because a harvest quota had been exceeded. It’s a potential blow to tourism in the area and has state leaders considering a special session to pass a business assistance package.