Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Fisheries Biologist Brian Borkholder said poor weather ended any hopes of the band holding a spring spear/net fishing season in Cook County this year.
“The landings were sloppy, hard to get into, and the ice wasn’t all of the way out on the lakes,” Borkholder said.
“We did do some electrofishing while we were up there, so not all was lost. Maybe next year the weather will be better and we can hold a fishing season.”
Band members did catch some fish this spring. They tallied 288.6 pounds of walleye during five nights of netting and spearing on Vermilion, capping a slow season for them.
Last year three Cook County lakes, Crescent, Brule, and Cascade yielded 201 pounds of walleye over two days to 10 tribal members who took part in the short season.
Fond du Lac members are allowed to fish under the 1854 Treaty, which was signed between the U.S. and Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, and Boise Forte bands. The bands ceded lands to the federal government in an exchange for hunting and fishing rights.
In 1988, the state of Minnesota negotiated an out-of-court settlement with Fond du Lac, Boise Forte and Grand Portage over rights reserved in the 1854 Treaty but Fond du Lac opted out of the agreement in 1989.
Under the current agreement Boise Forte and Grand Portage restrict their harvest of off-reservation game, fish, and wild rice in return for an annual payment from the state that is based on a formula tied to the revenue from hunting and fishing license sales.
Twice a year representatives meet with officials from Mille Lacs, the state of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and six bands from Wisconsin to discuss data, exchange information, and review management of fisheries within the bands’ jurisdiction.
At these meetings representatives from each group look at models and predictors of current walleye status in fisheries the bands have selected to fish, and quotas are established with the state not only for walleye, but also for northern pike, yellow perch, burbot and tullibee.
Once the information has been examined, agreements on harvests are set with the state of Minnesota, and by March 15 the bands set harvest quotas and send that information to the state. Once a harvest quota is set, bands have agreed not to exceed more than 50 percent of the allowable harvest for each lake.
Fishing begins once the ice leaves the water. However, before harvest activity can take place the band must first notify the state by noon, which lake (or lakes) they will be fishing in. Additionally the band must notify the state which landing will be used and declare how many permits will be available for that night’s activity. Tribal fishermen are only allowed two walleye per permit larger than 20 inches, and only one of those can be larger than 24 inches.
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