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Nagaajiwanaang Waaswaawin
gaye bagida’waawin
Fond du Lac Reservation Spearing and Netting
Spring 2012- Mille Lacs Lake
The 2012 spearing and netting
season at Mille Lacs Lake is fast approaching. This year the Fond du Lac
Band will have a 25,428 pound quota for walleye. Fond du Lac Reservation
Resource Management Division (FDLRMD) is allowing individual Band Members to
set multiple nets per day, depending upon the remaining allocation. As
approved by the RBC, Band members will be allowed to set 3 nets / night for
the first seven nights. If FDL still has allocation after seven nights,
FDLRMD will allow unlimited nets / Band member for as long as allocation
remains. The FDLRMD and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
(GLIFWC) will be staffing several public landings this spring for spearing
and netting. FDLRMD has negotiated to have GLIFWC issue FDL Band Members
spearing and netting permits at other available public accesses.
As a gesture of respect for our Elders age 52 and older, the FDLRMD
will be providing boat rides for Elders to set their nets. Each individual
Elder will be limited to two nets if receiving a boat ride from FDLRMD. This service will
only be available at one of the landings that FDLRMD will be staffing. The
specific landing will be determined by ice conditions. FDLRMD will require
the use of a personal floatation device (life jacket), and asks that Elders
bring their own life jacket so that they are wearing something that fits
them and protects them properly. The FDLRMD will have one boat available to
safely accompany Elders. Elders will be responsible for setting and pulling
their own nets. FDLRMD is encouraging able-bodied Band Members to consider
taking an Elder to set a net, or set additional nets yourself and share your
harvest.
The FDLRMD also would like to stress the importance of releasing
northern pike from gill nets, if the pike appear able to survive.
This is extremely important this year. Fond du Lac has a 25,428 lbs
walleye allocation, but only a 1387 lb northern pike quota. Note that even
though this is a 423 pound increase over last year, it is not likely that
FDL will be able to gain additional pike throughout the season. The
regulations state that once FDL harvests their quota for any species, then
netting is shut down for all species. So once FDL has harvested 1387 lbs of
northern pike, we are done netting, even if we’ve only harvested 100 lbs of
our 25,428 lbs walleye quota. Please keep that in mind when you are pulling
your nets.
The FDLRMD would like to remind Band Members that there are
numerous invasive species present in Mille Lacs Lake. An increased effort
will be made at landings this spring to inform harvesters how they can do
their part to limit the spread of invasive species. Of particular concern
are zebra mussel, spiny water flea, and curly leaf pondweed. Band Members
should be aware that the 1837 Ceded Territory Conservation Code requires
individuals to take the following actions each time they remove watercraft,
trailers, nets, and associated equipment from infested waters:
- Aquatic vegetation must be removed from
boats, trailers, nets and associated equipment
- Boat livewells and bilges must be
drained by removing the drain plug
- Bait containers and any other boating
related equipment that can hold water must be drained
- All nets and associated fishing gear
including any trap, buoy, anchor, stake, or line must be dried for at
least 10 days or frozen for at least 2 days before being used in other
waters
The FDLRMD would encourage Band
Members to talk to their families and friends, and make arrangements to be
part of the harvest activities this spring. It is always a great time.
Updated information on the 2012 spearing and netting harvest will be posted
on the FDL Reservation webpage, community centers, and FDL Gas and Grocery.
If you have any questions, please call the Resource Management Division at
878-7101.
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