ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's wildlife officials are making sweeping changes at Mille Lacs Lake to restore trust with locals after shutting down the lake's walleye fishing season.

The Department of Natural Resources is setting up a new outpost on the central Minnesota lake with more staff to monitor its walleye population. It's also setting up an advisory committee to get input from the community and eyeing a pilot restocking project for next year.

The department announced the planned changes Thursday. Commissioner Tom Landwehr says they're redoubling their efforts to keep the lake healthy.

An abrupt end to walleye fishing season in early August riled local business owners and exposed a deep distrust of the state's wildlife oversight agency.

Legislative talks of a special session to aid area businesses broke off earlier this month.

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