ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Some Minnesota lakes are set to see an increase in Indian netting and spearing for walleye.
State and tribal officials say the expected rise this spring is due at least in part to stricter protections for walleye in Lake Mille Lacs, leading to an increase in off-reservation spearing and netting. The St. Paul Pioneer Press (https://bit.ly/1FNWcWQ ) reports as many as 78 lakes in northern and central Minnesota could see tribal spearing for walleye.
The walleye population in Mille Lacs is at a historic low, with American Indians limited to 11,400 pounds of walleye to be netted from the lake this year. With those limits, the Mille Lacs Band has essentially been given the fishing shares from all or nearly all other bands that have treaty rights to net on Mille Lacs.
“It’s a sign of respect,” said Charlie Rasmussen, spokesman for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Netting in Lake Vermilion near Tower is expected to garner the most attention, with two Native American bands planning to net walleye shortly before the May 9 Governor’s Fishing Opener.
Tribal officials say the planned number of walleye to be killed will be low enough that it won’t affect other fishers. Rasmussen said bands often make seemingly large declarations of fish, but that the actual harvest ends up being a fraction of that.
“We’re not going to be pushing the envelope,” said Brian Borkholder, fisheries biologist with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “Our assumption is you’ll never be able to notice.”
Minnesota officials don’t plan to alter regulations like in Wisconsin, where a plan was recently approved to set a daily limit of three walleye at almost all affected lakes.
“They always declare these other lakes, but the amount actually harvested has been very small,” said Don Pereira, head of fisheries for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We’re not planning any regulatory response this year until we know how they did.”
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, https://www.twincities.com
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