Tribal spearing, netting begins soon in 1837 treaty territory

MILLE LACS — The state Department of Natural Resources is reminding Minnesotans of tribal members’ rights to spear and net for fish in the ceded territory of the 1837 Treaty.

The Minnesota portion of the 1837 treaty with the Chippewa includes the area south of Mille Lacs, between the Crow Wing and Mississippi Rivers. A Supreme Court ruling in 1990 upheld the Ojibwe rights to hunt, fish and gather traditionally on these ceded territories, despite state authorities in both Wisconsin and Minnesota persistently denying those treaty rights.

The tribal harvest that typically begins at ice-out is regulated by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Tribes issue fishing permits to their members, and declare to the DNR how many of each species of fish they intend to harvest from each lake in the ceded territory.

It is illegal to interfere or attempt to interfere with tribal members who are exercising treaty rights, including the spring harvest of walleye. This prohibited conduct includes stalking, obstruction to lakes, recklessly operating watercraft, creating hazardous wakes, threatening violence and committing acts of violence.