Open-Water Spearing and Netting in the 1837 Minnesota Ceded Territory During the Quota Year

Transcription

1 Open-Water and Netting in the Minnesota Ceded erritory During the - Quota Year by Neil Kmiecik Biological Services Director Joe Dan Rose Inland Fisheries Section Leader Rick Madsen Data Analyst Nicholas Milroy Inland Fisheries Biologist Administrative Report - January Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission Biological Services Division P.O. Box Odanah,WI () -

2 ABSRAC he - quota-year was the first year that open-water spear and net fishing was conducted by eight Ojibwa Bands in the Minnesota ceded territory. A total of Band members participated in the fishery. Of the twelve lakes with effort, spearing occurred in eleven, gill-netting in two, and fykenetting in one. Fish were harvested in of lakes that received effort. A total of, fish weighing, pounds were harvested. made up approximately % of the catch (, fish,, pounds). Other species harvested included northern pike (, pounds), yellow perch ( pounds), cisco ( pounds), and burbot ( pounds). Most of the harvest occurred in Lake during spring, i.e., walleye weighing, pounds and northern pike weighing, pounds. Of these walleye, more were taken by gill-netting (, fish,, pounds) than by spearing (, fish,, pounds). For all lakes combined, average length was. inches for walleye and. inches for northern pike; average weight was. and. pounds, respectively. he tribal harvest of quota and cap regulated fish species was maintained within established limits on all lakes through an intensive harvest management system that included daily permits, complete monitoring and daily reporting of the catch, and daily adjustments to quotas. i

3 ABLE OF CONENS PAGE LIS OF ABLES... iii LIS OF FIGRES... iv INRODCION... Regulations... Permit System and Monitoring... RESLS AND DISCSSION... Fishing Effort... of Participants... of Permits sed... of Days Fished... of Boat-Hours and Net-Lifts Lake... for Six axa During Spring... by Method During Spring... Catch Per Effort (CPE)... Gill-Net CPE During Spring... CPE During Spring... Mean Length and... Sex Composition of the Catch ullibee ACKNOWLEDGMENS... LIERARE CIED... LIS OF APPENDICES... ii

4 LIS OF ABLES ABLE PAGE of tribal members from eight Chippewa bands who speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery... of permits used by eight Chippewa bands during spring... of spearing boat-hours by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year... of net-lifts by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year... and pounds of fish taxa harvested from lakes with effort during the - quota year... Overall tribal quota, harvest, and percent of quota taken during the - quota year for five fish species in Lake... and pounds of fish harvested in Lake during spring and after spring... iii

5 LIS OF FIGRES FIGRE PAGE Map depicting the Minnesota ceded territory and eight Chippewa reservations in Wisconsin and Minnesota... Lakes declared for harvest in the Minnesota ceded territory during the - quota year... reaty fishing permit used during the - tribal quota year... (a) and pounds (b) of walleye harvested daily in Lake by spearing and netting during spring... Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in numbers for walleye harvested from Lake during spring... Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in pounds for walleye harvested from Lake during spring... Spring spearing CPE (catch per effort of walleye per boat-hour) for eleven lakes with effort during spring... Length frequency of measured walleye during the - quota year... Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group during the - quota year... Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group with ¾ inch and ¼ inch (bar mesh) gill-nets, and spears from Mille Lacs Lake during spring... Length frequency of measured northern pike harvested from Lake during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured yellow perch harvested from Lake during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured cisco harvested from Lake during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured burbot harvested from Lake during the - quota year... iv

6 INRODCION A.S. Supreme Court decision issued on March reaffirmed the rights of eight Chippewa tibes to hunt, fish, and gather off-reservation in the Minnesota area reserved by a treaty with the nited States government signed in (Figure ). his report presents data for harvest and effort by Chippewa spearers and netters in Minnesota ceded territory waters (Figure ) during the - quota year which ran from April, through March,. Most of the harvest and effort occurred in Mille Lacs Lake throughout a day period in the spring of (April through April ). However, additional harvest and effort occurred in Lake during the summer (June ), fall (September through December ) and in the early spring of (March through March ). he remaining harvest and effort in lakes other than included spearing in lakes during spring and netting in lake during fall. Seven Chippewa bands actively participated in the - fishery including two Minnesota bands ( and Fond du Lac) and five Wisconsin bands (Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Red Cliff, and St.Croix) (Figure ). A sixth Wisconsin Chippewa band, Mole Lake, declared Lake for possible harvest but transferred most of their walleye quota to other bands. Although the Mole Lake Band did not issue any spearing or netting permits, two of its members did spear under permits issued by the Lac du Flambeau Band. During the previous year, a ceremonial fishery by the Band occurred in which, pounds of fish including, pounds of walleye were taken (Haeseker, ). REGLAIONS was strictly regulated and completely monitored under provisions of the reaty Conservation Code for the Minnesota Ceded erritory as amended January,. his tribal code contains regulations that govern the use of spears and nets to harvest fish. he code was jointly developed with the State of Minnesota, approved by the federal court, and individually adopted by the Chippewa bands. he exercise of treaty fishing rights in the Minnesota ceded territory was also subject to provisions of the Interim reaty Fisheries Management Plan for the Minnesota Ceded erritory for the Years -. his harvest management plan provided for the gradual development of treaty fisheries in the Minnesota ceded territory and established tribal walleye quotas for Lake for a five year period, beginning with the - quota-year. nder this plan, the tribal walleye quota for Lake in - was set at, pounds and was to increase at a rate of, pounds annually. In addition to the reaty Conservation Code and Interim reaty Fisheries Management Plan, a set of protocols were agreed to by the State of Minnesota and its Department of Natural Resources ( State ) and the Chippewa bands. hese protocols identified methods to calculate threshold and harvestable surplus levels for ceded territory waters, established procedures for information exchange, and provided an operational framework for the Minnesota Ceded erritory Fisheries Committee.

7 PERMI SYSEM AND HARVES MONIORING A comprehensive harvest management system based upon daily permits, monitoring of the entire catch, daily reporting, and daily updates of quotas for quota or cap regulated species was used as follows. Each night that a tribe intended to spear or net, a tribal representative contacted the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) office in Odanah, Wisconsin around noon to notify staff of the selected lakes, boat landings, and walleye bag limits for spearing. At the same time quotas for walleye and northern pike were updated and the number of permits (Figure ) that could be issued was determined. For spearing, the number of issuable permits was determined by dividing the remaining tribal quota for a lake by the nightly bag limit selected for that lake. For netting, the number of issuable permits was determined by dividing the remaining tribal walleye quota by an assigned catch rate value. An assigned catch rate value of pounds of walleye per net was used from ice-out until late spring and during early spring. After spring when netting efficiency declined, the assigned catch rate value was adjusted downward. ribal members could either pick up a permit at a registration station or a boat-landing. One or more creel clerk-warden teams were assigned to each lake and each designated boat landing on Lake where permits had been or were scheduled to be issued. All off-reservation spearing and netting was monitored by creel teams under the supervision of GLIFWC staff or by Fond du Lac Band tribal wardens and biologists. All on-reservation spearing and netting in Lake was monitored by creel teams under the supervision of Band tribal wardens. Prior to the season, written instructions, equipment, data forms, and training were provided to creel clerks and others involved with harvest monitoring and reporting. For spearing, clerk-warden monitoring teams typically arrived at the designated boat landing before dusk and stayed until spearing ended. pon the return of each boating party, a catch report form (Appendix A) was completed by a monitoring team to include time spearing started, the time it ended, permit numbers, plus the name and tribal identification number of each spearer. When available, tribal members could be issued one or more additional spearing permits. For netting, clerk-warden teams arrived at the designated boat landing or monitoring location prior to scheduled net-lift times. Most nets were set in the evening, fished overnight, and lifted the following morning. Some nets were lifted at night, fish removed, and then reset. Nets were rarely set and lifted during the day. Lift times and locations were scheduled in advance and written on each permit issued. Nets could be checked prior to the designated lift time only if monitoring personnel were present. A catch report form was completed for each net-lift under each permit and for each of two nets set under experimental gill-net study permits (Madsen et. al., ). All fish harvested were to be identified to species, counted, and weighed in the aggregate by species. For spearing, length and sex information were collected from the first walleye plus all walleye in the last boat. Length and sex information were also collected from a sub-sample of netted walleye and for most individuals of other species. For walleye, a sample of spines was collected for aging. and effort for each lake were totaled by harvest method and reported by around A.M. the following day to administrative staff at the GLIFWC office in Odanah, Wisconsin. Catch report forms and nightly summary sheets for all spearing and netting that had occurred were also faxed to the GLIFWC office each morning and used to double-check reported totals. During spring the total harvest by lake, by band, and by species was transmitted to tribal and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) representatives around A.M. that same day and were used to update walleye tribal quotas. After the spring season, harvest summaries were provided monthly to MnDNR representatives during months with spearing or netting effort. For net-lift data collected after and not reported by A.M., the number of net-lifts outstanding was multiplied by the assigned catch rate, and the total subtracted from a Band s quota until the actual data were reported and could be used.

8 Figure. Map depicting the Minnesota Ceded erritory and eight Chippewa reservations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Fond du Lac Red Cliff Bad River Ceded erritory Lac du Flambeau St. Croix Lac Courte Oreilles Mole Lake Reservation boundaries Minnesota Ceded erritory Minnesota and Wisconsin Boundary Ceded erritory Boundaries Miles he ceded territory and reservation boundaries are representations and may not be the actual legally binding boundaries. N

9 Figure. Lakes declared for harvest in the Minnesota Ceded erritory during the - quota year. Crow Wing County Borden Long Camp Whitefish Platte Sullivan Ogechie Shakopee County Aitkin County Big Pine Eleven Knife Pine County Razor Rock Morrison County Little Rock Benton County Kanabec County Sherburne County Isanti County Anoka County Ann Pokegama Cross N. Stanchfield West Rush East Rush S. Stanchfield Goose Green Elk Green Chisago County Chisago Declared lakes with spearing or netting effort Declared lakes with no effort or harvest Reservation boundaries Ceded erritory N Miles he ceded territory and reservation boundaries are representations and may not be the actual legally binding boundaries. Washington County

10 Figure. reaty fishing permit used during the - tribal quota year. FRON BACK

11 RESLS AND DISCSSION FISHING EFFOR NMBER OF PARICIPANS A total of tribal members speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery in Minnesota (able, Appendix B). Of this total, % were Band members, % were Fond du Lac Band members, and % were from six Wisconsin bands combined. Although the Mole Lake Band did not issue any permits for fishing in Minnesota, two members speared under permits issued by the Lac du Flambeau Band. able. of tribal members from eight Chippewa bands who speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery. Gear MIL FDL BRV LCO LDF MLK RCF SC SPRING only Netting only and Netting Spring : Includes two Mole Lake Band members who speared under permits issued by the Lac du Flambeau Band. Abbreviations for the various tribes are: MIL =, FDL = Fond du Lac, BRV = Bad River, LCO = Lac Courte Oreilles, LDF = Lac du Flambeau, MLK = Mole Lake, RCF = Red Cliff, and SC = St. Croix. After the spring season, only two tribes had members who fished. From the Band, members netted and two members speared Lake. he Fond du Lac Band had five members net after spring; of these, three netted Lake and two netted Knife Lake.

12 NMBER OF PERMIS SED For all lakes combined, a total of permits were used during spring (able, Appendix B). Slightly more netting permits () were used than spearing permits (). More permits were used by the Band () and the Fond du Lac Band () compared to individual Wisconsin bands. Of the total permits, % were used by Band members, % by Fond du Lac Band members, and % by Wisconsin band members. For Band members, most of the permits were for netting (). For Fond du Lac Band members, most of the permits were for spearing (). able. of permits used by eight Chippewa bands during spring. Gear MIL FDL BRV LCO LDF MLK RCF SC Netting Percent of total % % % % % % % % Abbreviations for the various Bands are: MIL =, FDL = Fond du Lac, BRV = Bad River, LCO = Lac Courte Oreilles, LDF = Lac du Flambeau, MLK = Mole Lake, RCF = Red Cliff, and SC = St. Croix. After spring, Band members used permits ( netting and spearing) for fishing in Lake. Fond du Lac Band members used seven netting permits, five permits for Lake and two permits for Knife Lake. NMBER OF DAYS FISHED Overall, spearing or netting effort occurred on dates during the - quota year (Appendix C). During a day period in spring (April through April ), spearing effort occurred in Lake on dates while netting occurred on days. In other lakes, spring spearing occurred on dates. During the remainder of the quota year netting occurred in Lake on dates and in Knife Lake (Kanabec County) on one date; spearing occurred in Lake on one date.

13 NMBER OF BOA-HORS AND NE-LIFS A total of. boat-hours of spearing effort occurred during the - quota year (able ), all of which occurred in the spring except for a half-hour of effort on Lake in October (Appendix C). Fond du Lac Band spearers accounted for nearly half of the boat-hour effort (%). More spearing effort occurred in Lake (%) than the ten other lakes that received effort combined (%). able. of spearing boat-hours by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year. Lakes MIL FDL BRV LCO LDF MLK RCF SC en Other Lakes..... : Percent of total % % % % % % % % Abbreviations for the various Bands are: MIL =, FDL = Fond du Lac, BRV = Bad River, LCO = Lac Courte Oreilles, LDF = Lac du Flambeau, MLK = Mole Lake, RCF = Red Cliff, and SC = St. Croix. A total of gill-net lifts occurred during spring (able, Appendix D). Band members accounted for over half (%) of this effort. Most lifts (%) were with ¾ inch mesh (bar) gillnets. able. of net-lifts by eight Chippewa bands during spring. Gill-net mesh or Fyke net MIL FDL BRV LCO LDF MLK RCF SC. inch. inch. inch Fyke net Abbreviations for the various Bands are: MIL =, FDL = Fond du Lac, BRV = Bad River, LCO = Lac Courte Oreilles, LDF = Lac du Flambeau, MLK = Mole Lake, RCF = Red Cliff, and SC = St. Croix.

14 HARVES OAL HARVES During the - quota year, a total of, fish (, pounds) from taxa were harvested from lakes (able ). effort occurred on one other lake (Platte Lake in Crow Wing County) but no fish were harvested. Most fish were taken from Lake; i.e., fish or % of the total number, and, pounds or % of the total weight. he only other lakes with more than pounds of fish harvested were Green and Goose Lakes, both in Chisago County., the species sought during most spearing and netting, made up most of the harvest; i.e., fish or % of the total number, and, pounds or % of the total weight (able ). Northern pike was the only other species for which harvest exceeded, pounds. exceeded pounds (and fish) for four other taxa: sucker, burbot, yellow perch, and tullibee (cisco). A total of cisco or % of the annual harvest, were taken in nets during spawning in late November. was below pounds for the remaining nine taxa.

15 able. and pounds of fish taxa harvested from lakes with effort during the - quota year. Lake = County = Area in Acres = Species Cisco Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Bass sp. Muskellunge Rock Bass Crappie sp. Bluegill Sucker sp. Bullhead sp. Carp Bowfin : NMBER Goose Chisago Green Chisago, West Rush Chisago, Platte Crow Wing, Green Isanti Knife Kanabec,,,, Big Pine Pine Cross Pine Pokegama Pine, Razor Pine Elk Sherburne,,, Percent of.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Percent of :.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%..% Species Cisco Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Bass sp. Muskellunge Rock Bass Crappie sp. Bluegill Sucker sp. Bullhead sp. Carp Bowfin : PONDS ,., , ,., ,..%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Percent of :.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%

16 of five species of fish was regulated by a quota in Lake (able, Appendices E, F-F). For walleye, % of the, pound quota for the - quota year was taken. For northern pike, % of the nearly, pound quota was harvested. he percent of the quota harvested for the three other species was % or less. able. Overall tribal quota, harvest, and percent of quota taken during the - quota year for five fish species in Lake. Northern Pike Yellow Perch Cisco or ullibee Quota (pounds),,,,, (pounds),, Percent of Quota ed % %.% % % Prior to the - quota year, five tribes declared a walleye quota for lakes other than Mille Lacs Lake (Figure, Appendices G-G). Of these lakes, the walleye quota was shared by two tribes on nine lakes and by three tribes on two lakes. Effort occurred in eleven lakes and walleye were harvested in eight (able ). harvest was greatest from Green Lake (Chisago County) where Fond du Lac Band members speared pounds (%) of the, pound quota.

17 MILLE LACS LAKE HARVES hirteen taxa of fish were harvested from Lake during the - quota year (able ). he majority of harvested fish were walleye; i.e, fish or % of the total number, and, pounds (Appendix F) or % of the overall weight. Northern pike was the only other species where harvest exceeded pounds, i.e., pounds or % of the overall weight. exceeded pounds for four other taxa: yellow perch, tullibee, burbot, and sucker. for Six axa During Spring. For each of the six fish taxa with more than pounds taken except tullibee, a greater percent of the total weight was harvested in spring than after spring (able, Appendix F). For walleye and northern pike, the percent of the total weight harvested in spring was % and %, respectively. For the four other species with more than pounds taken, the percent harvested in spring was % for sucker, % for yellow perch, % for burbot, and % for tullibee. During spring, the weight of walleye harvested exceeded, pounds on most dates from April to April (Figure ). able. and pounds of fish harvested in Lake during spring and after spring. Spring After Spring Percent of Species in Spring,,.,.,,..%,..,..%....%....% ullibee....% Sucker sp..... % Rock Bass... Bullhead sp.... Muskellunge.. Smallmouth Bass... Bowfin.. Black Crappie... Bass sp... :,,.,.,,.. %

18 Figure. (a) and pounds (b) of walleye harvested daily in Lake by spearing and netting during spring. a) in Lake by and Netting of Netting Date in April b) in Lake by and Netting of Netting Date in April

19 by Method During Spring. he majority of harvest from Lake during spring was with gill-nets (Appendix F). For walleye, the weight harvested was much greater for gill-nets (, pounds) than for spearing (, pounds) or fyke netting (. pounds) (Appendix D). In addition, the percent of the spring weight harvested with gill-nets was % for northern pike,.% for yellow perch, % for burbot, % for tullibee, % for walleye, and % for sucker. CACH PER EFFOR Gill-Net CPE During Spring. For gill-netting during spring in Lake, a total of netlifts were recorded in which, walleye weighing, pounds were caught. Overall catch per effort (total harvest / total net-lifts) for walleye was fish and pounds per net-lift (Figure, Figure, Appendix D). For ¾ inch mesh gill-nets a total of net-lifts were observed in which, walleye weighing, pounds were harvested. he walleye catch per effort for ¾ inch mesh gill-nets was fish and pounds. For ¼ inch mesh gill-nets a total of net-lifts were recorded in which, walleye weighing, pounds were taken. he walleye catch per effort for ¼ inch mesh gill-nets was fish and pounds. CPE During Spring. During spring a total of. boat-hours of spearing was recorded in which, walleye weighing,. pounds were speared (Appendices F, G-G). Overall catch per effort (total harvest / total boat-hours) for walleye during spring was. fish and. pounds per boat-hour. he highest catch rate (walleye/boat-hour) was in Lake (.) followed by Green Lake (Isanti, Co.) (.) (Figure ). hese overall catch-per-effort values were lower than those observed in Wisconsin; the overall annual CPE in Wisconsin for spring spearing from - ranged from.-. walleye per boat-hour (Krueger ).

20 Figure. Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in numbers for walleye harvested from Lake during spring. of in Each Net Set Lake, Spring + of in Each Net M Daily Mean per Net of / / / / / Date Figure. Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in pounds for walleye harvested from Lake during spring. of in Each Net Set Lake, Spring + of in Each Net M Daily Mean per Net of / / / / / Date

21 Figure. CPE (catch per effort or walleye per boat-hour) for eleven lakes with effort during spring. CPE ( per Boat-Hour) for lakes during spring of Lakes CPE Interval Goose Green W. Rush Green Big Pine Cross Platte Pokegama Razor Elk

22 WALLEYE MEAN LENGH AND MEAN WEIGH Length was measured for a total of, walleye (% of the catch) and aggregate weight was recorded for all, walleye harvested (Appendix H). Overall, mean length of measured walleye was. inches (Figure ) and mean weight was. pounds. For the three lakes where at least one hundred pounds of walleye were harvested, mean length of measured walleye and mean weight were. inches and. pounds in Goose Lake (Chisago County),. inches and. pounds in Green Lake (Chisago County), and. inches and. pounds in Lake. For walleye harvested from Lake during spring, mean length and weight of measured walleye were:. inches and. pounds for ¼ inch mesh net,. inches and. pounds for ¾ inch mesh net,. inches and. pounds for spearing (Appendix H). After spring, most walleye were harvested with ¾ inch mesh net; mean length of measured walleye and mean weight were greater than in spring: i.e.. inches and. pounds. Figure. Length frequency of measured walleye during the - quota year. Length Frequency of Measured ed During - Quota Year of Length in Inches

23 SE COMPOSIION OF HE WALLEYE CACH During the - quota year,, walleye were measured and sexed. he majority of the sexable walleye were male:, of, fish or % (Figure, Appendix H). Females ( fish) comprised % of the sexable harvest. Sex could not be determined for walleye. For walleye harvested from Lake during spring, sex ratios (male:female) by gear were: : in ¼ inch mesh net, : in ¾ inch mesh net, and : by spearing (Appendix H). Respective mean lengths for male and female walleye captured by these gear were:. and. inches for ¼ inch mesh net,. and. inches for ¾ inch mesh net,. and. inches by spearing (Figure ). Figure. Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group during the - quota year. (Expanded) - All Methods Lake, Spring Male Female (Expanded) Inch Group

24 Figure. Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group with ¾ inch and ¼ inch (bar mesh) gill-nets, and spears from Lake during spring. (Expanded) -." Mesh Net Lake, Spring Male Female (Expanded) Inch Group (Expanded) -." Mesh Net Lake, Spring Male Female (Expanded) Inch Group (Expanded) - Lake, Spring Male Female (Expanded) Inch Group

25 NORHERN PIKE HARVES A total of northern pike weighing, pounds were harvested from seven lakes during the - quota year (able, Appendix I). Approximately % of the northern pike ( fish,, pounds) were harvested from Lake. Next in order was Green Lake (Chisago County) where around eight percent ( fish, pounds) of the total was harvested. Most northern pike ( fish,, pounds) in Lake were harvested with ¾ inch gillnets and most of these were taken in spring ( fish,, pounds). Overall, % of the northern pike quota in Lake (, pounds) was harvested (able, Appendices E and F). Of the northern pike with length measured and sex examined, average length was. inches (Figure, Appendix I). Average weight of all northern pike harvested was. pounds. For the sexable northern pike, % were male and % were female. Another fish were examined but sex could not be determined. Average length was. inches for males and. inches for females. Figure. Length frequency of measured northern pike harvested from Lake during the - quota year. Length Frequency (N = ; Length =. inches) of Fish Length in Inches

26 YELLOW PERCH HARVES A total of yellow perch weighing pounds were harvested from Lake (able, Appendix J). Yellow perch were not harvested from any of the other lakes that received effort. he majority of yellow perch (%) were harvested during spring in gill-nets. Overall, about.% of the yellow perch quota in Lake (, pounds) was harvested (able, Appendices E and F). Of the yellow perch with length measured and sex examined, average length was. inches (Figure, Appendix J). Average weight of the yellow perch was. pounds. For the sexable yellow perch, % were male and % were female. Average length was. inches for males and. inches for females. Figure. Length frequency of measured yellow perch harvested from Lake during the - quota year. Length Frequency (N = ; Length =. inches) of Fish Length in Inches

27 LLIBEE HARVES A total of tullibee (aka. cisco) weighing pounds were harvested from Lake during the - quota year (able, Appendix K). ullibee were not harvested from any of the other lakes that received effort. nlike the other quota species, the majority of tullibee (%) were taken after spring. All except three fish were harvested in gill-nets. Overall, % of the total tullibee quota in Mille Lacs Lake (, pounds) was harvested (able, Appendices E and F). Of the tullibee with length measured and sex examined, average length was. inches (Appendix K). Average weight of the tullibee was. pounds. For the sexable tullibee, % were male and % was female. Average length was. inches for males and. inches for females. Figure. Length frequency of measured tullibee harvested from Lake during the - quota year. ullibee Length Frequency (N = ; Length =. inches) of Fish Length in Inches

28 BRBO HARVES A total of burbot weighing pounds were harvested from Lake during the - quota year (able, Appendix L). were not harvested from any of the other lakes that received effort. he majority of burbot (%) were taken during spring in gill-nets. Overall, around % of the total burbot quota in Lake (, pounds) was harvested (able, Appendices E and F). Of the burbot with length measured and sex examined, average length was. inches (Figure, Appendix L). Average weight of the burbot was. pounds. Only five burbot were sexable and all were males with an average length of. inches. Figure. Length frequency of measured burbot harvested from Lake during the - quota year. Length Frequency (N = ; Length =. inches) of Fish Length in Inches

29 ACKNOWLEDGMENS he authors extend thanks to Annie hannum, Jennifer Krueger, and Kim Campy for their diligence in compiling nightly harvest statistics, in providing these data to tribal and MnDNR representatives, and in updating each day the list of quotas for lakes selected for harvest, along with the adjusted quota, the bag limits, and the number of permits available for each lake. Additional thanks is given to Jennie Krueger for the daily review of faxed catch reports; for entering and proofing length, weight, and sex data for fish harvested; and for preparing Figures - and Appendices E and F. We thank Brian Borkholder, Fond du Lac Band Fisheries Biologist along with Bernard Roy, Mark Zacher, John Smith, om Foldesi, Russ Rule, Sean hompson, Gary Martineau, and erry Perrault, Fond du Lac Band tribal wardens, fisheries technicians, and creel clerks who monitored and provided information for Fond du Lac Band harvest. In addition, we thank Bugs Haskins for her diligence in overseeing the issuance of permits to Band members, and to Lloyd Ligneel and Ralph LaPlant for their assistance in monitoring and faxing information for the Band on-reservation fishery. We were amazed at the ability of Ken Pardun, GLIFWC warden, to work extended hours for days on end while maintaining his professionalism, alertness, and humor. We acknowledge the work of other GLIFWC wardens and creel clerks who helped monitor the off-reservation fishery of the Band and the Wisconsin tribes. In particular, we thank Gerald White Jr, Vern Stone, and Carl Resse. Finally, we thank the tribal members who fished and patiently allowed the monitoring of the catch. LIERARE CIED Krueger, J.. Open Water in Northern Wisconsin by Chippewa Indians During. Administrative Report -. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin. Madsen, R., N.E. Kmiecik, J.D. Rose, and C. Reese.. Spring Experimental Gill Net Study Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota. Administrative Report -. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin. Haeseker, S. L.. Ceremonial in Lake During Spring. Administrative Report - Version. Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin.

30 LIS OF APPENDICES APPENDI PAGE A Catch Report Form: Minnesota Ceded erritory B of members per tribe that speared, netted, or speared and netted one or more nights during the spring fishery. Also, number of permits issued for spearing and netting C Lakes and dates during the - quota year with spearing and netting effort D E F-F G-G H I J K L of net-lifts per gill-net mesh and one fyke net, walleye harvest in numbers and pounds, and CPE (catch per effort) for netting in Lake during spring..... Quota, harvest, and percent of quota harvested by tribe and overall for five fish species in Lake during the - quota year and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands (combined and separately) from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net) and by date and weight of walleye harvested, effort, catch per effort, percent of quota taken, and average weight in lakes other than that were declared by five Chippewa bands for harvest during the - quota year of walleye per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from lakes during spring and after spring of northern pike per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from lakes during spring and after spring of yellow perch per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Lake during spring and after spring of tullibee per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Lake during spring and after spring of burbot per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Lake during spring and after spring

31 Appendix A. CACH REPOR FORM: MINNESOA CEDED ERRIORY SPEARING LAKE: SAR: GILL-NE LENGH: CONY: END: GILL-NE MESH: DAE: OAL HORS: NE ID#: RIBAL ID #: NAME: PERMI #: SPECIES SPECIES SPECIES SPECIES LENGH SE AG/CLIP/ LENGH SE AG/CLIP/ LENGH SE AG/CLIP/ LENGH SE (INCHES) OHER (INCHES) OHER (INCHES) OHER (INCHES) AG/CLIP/ OHER OAL WEIGH: OAL WEIGH: OAL WEIGH: OAL WEIGH: MONIORING EAM: IF NECESSARY SE ADDIIONAL SHEES O RECORD SPECIES, LENGH, SE, AND AGGREGAE WEIGH OF ALL FISH HARVESED BY PERMIEE SHEE OF

32 Appendix B. of members per tribe that speared, netted, or speared and netted one or more nights during the spring fishery. Also, number of permits issued for spearing and netting. of Nights MIL FDL BRV LCO LDF RCF SC : Percent of : Cumulative Percent: Only.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Members % % Permits Netting Only.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Members.% % Permits and Netting.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Members.% % Permits Netting Permits Permits Grand Members Permits Netting Permits Permits LDF members include two Mole Lake members who received one permit each. FDL permit total include two permits issued to tribe for experimental gill-net fishing (one permit per night) and five permits issued to Resource Management staff to set nets on two nights.

33 Appendix C. Lakes and dates during the - quota year with spearing or netting effort. Lake Count Month Lake County Method Date April April Gill-Net Fyke-Net April April April April April April April April April April April April Goose L Platte Big Pine Green West Rush Cross Pokegama Razor Green Elk Chisago Crow Wing Pine Isanti Chisago Pine Pine Pine Isanti Sherburne : June Gill-Net September September Knife Kanabec Gill-Net Gill-Net October October Gill-Net November Gill-Net December Gill-Net March Gill-Net

34 Appendix D. of net-lifts per gill-net mesh and one fyke net, walleye harvest in numbers and pounds, and CPE (catch per effort) for netting in Lake during spring. Weekend periods (Friday and Saturday) beginning on April - are noted.. inch mesh (bar). inch mesh (bar). inch mesh (bar) & fyke net :.,., and. mesh Permit CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: Date in No. / / No. / / No. / / No. / / April Lifts Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Net-Lift Net-Lift , ,...,,......,., ,, ,.,...,,......,.,...,......,., ,...,, ,.,...,......,., :,,...,,......,.,... Fyke net catch on April only.

35 Appendix E. Quota, harvest, and percent of quota harvested by tribe and overall for five fish species in Lake during the - quota year. RIBE Lac Courte Lac du ribes Species Fond du Lac Bad River Oreilles Flambeau Mole Lake Red Cliff St. Croix Combined Quota (),,,,,,,, ed,,,,,,, ed,,,,,,, Percent of Quota ed.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Northern Quota (),, Pike ed,, ed Percent of Quota ed.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Yellow Quota (),,,,,,,,, Perch ed ed Percent of Quota ed.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Cisco or Quota (),,, ullibee ed ed Percent of Quota ed.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.% Quota (),,,,,,,,, ed ed Percent of Quota ed.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%

36 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands combined from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed. COMBINED RIBES Declaration Area, Final,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Season and Dates Gear Spring Season / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

37 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands combined from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed. COMBINED RIBES Declaration Area, Final,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Season and Dates Gear / / / / / / / / subtotal:,, ,. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net, ,. / Gill Net,, ,. / Gill Net / Gill Net,, ,. / Gill Net,, ,.

38 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands combined from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed. COMBINED RIBES Declaration Area, Final,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Season and Dates Gear / Gill Net,, ,. / Gill Net, / Gill Net,, ,. / Gill Net,, ,. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net,,..,......,. SPRING SEASON OAL:,,..,......,. After Spring subtotal: / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net

39 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands combined from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed. COMBINED RIBES Declaration Area, Final,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Season and Dates Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net

40 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands combined from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed. COMBINED RIBES Declaration Area, Final,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Season and Dates Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net, ,. AFER SPRING OAL:, ,. OAL:,,..,......,,. Quota Balance,.,. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,.

41 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MILLE LACS RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,,,, Date Gear Spring Season /. /. /... /. /. /... /... /... /. /. /... /... /... /. /... subtotal: / Gill Net..... / Gill Net / Gill Net

42 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MILLE LACS RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,,,, Date Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net, ,. / Gill Net, ,,. / Gill Net / Gill Net, ,. / Gill Net,, ,,. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net, ,,. / Gill Net,, ,,. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net. / Gill Net / Gill Net..... / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net,,..,......,,.

43 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MILLE LACS RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,,,, Date Gear SPRING SEASON OAL:,,..,......,. After Spring subtotal: / Gill Net... / Gill Net.... / Gill Net / Gill Net..... / Gill Net..... / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net... / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net... / Gill Net..... / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net.....

44 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MILLE LACS RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,,,, Date Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net..... / Gill Net..... / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net... / Gill Net.... / Gill Net.. / Gill Net.... / Gill Net.... / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net, ,. AFER SPRING OAL:, ,. OAL:,,..,......,,.

45 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MILLE LACS RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,,,, Date Gear Quota Balance.. Netting,.,. /Netting,.,.,.,.,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.

46 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Fond du Lac tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: FOND D LAC RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,,, Date Gear Spring Season /.... /..... /..... /. /.... subtotal: / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net.... subtotal: Gill Net,, ,,. SPRING SEASON OAL:,, ,. After Spring subtotal: / Gill Net / Gill Net.... subtotal: Gill Net

47 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Fond du Lac tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: FOND D LAC RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,,, Date Gear AFER SPRING OAL: OAL:,, ,,. Quota Balance Netting.... /Netting.,.,..,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.

48 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Bad River tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: BAD RIVER RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear Spring Season /. /... /. /. /. /... /... /... /... /. /. subtotal: / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net... / Gill Net....

49 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Bad River tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: BAD RIVER RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net,, ,,. SPRING SEASON OAL:,, ,. After Spring subtotal: subtotal: Gill Net AFER SPRING OAL: OAL:,, ,,. Quota Balance Netting.... /Netting.,...,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.

50 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Lac Courte Oreilles tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: LAC CORE OREILLES RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear Spring Season /.. /... /. /. /.... /. /. /. /. /..... subtotal: / Gill Net..... / Gill Net.... / Gill Net. / Gill Net. / Gill Net.... / Gill Net / Gill Net..... / Gill Net. / Gill Net. / Gill Net.

51 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Lac Courte Oreilles tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: LAC CORE OREILLES RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear / Gill Net / Gill Net subtotal: Gill Net,, ,,. SPRING SEASON OAL:,, ,. After Spring subtotal: subtotal: Gill Net AFER SPRING OAL: OAL:,, ,,. Quota Balance Netting.... /Netting.,...,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.

52 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Lac du Flambeau tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: LAC D FLAMBEA RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear Spring Season /... /... /. /... subtotal: / Gill Net..... / Gill Net / Gill Net. / Gill Net / Gill Net..... subtotal: Gill Net,, ,,. SPRING SEASON OAL:,, ,. After Spring subtotal: subtotal: Gill Net AFER SPRING OAL: OAL:,, ,,.

53 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Lac du Flambeau tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: LAC D FLAMBEA RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear Quota Balance Netting.... /Netting.,...,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.

54 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Mole Lake tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: MOLE LAKE RIBE Declaration Area, Final Netting /Netting,,, Date Gear SPRING SEASON OAL: AFER SPRING OAL: OAL: Quota Balance Netting.... /Netting.,..,.,.

55 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Red Cliff tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: RED CLIFF RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear Spring Season /. /. /. /. /. /. /. /. /. /... /... /. /. subtotal: / Gill Net. / Gill Net. / Gill Net... / Gill Net. / Gill Net... / Gill Net...

56 Appendix F. and pounds of six fish species harvested by Red Cliff tribal members from Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net), and by date. Note that not all dates are listed; if a date is not listed then the lake was not opened for that night. MILLE LACS LAKE: RED CLIFF RIBE Declaration Area, Final,, Netting,, /Netting,,, Date Gear / Gill Net. / Gill Net. / Gill Net / Gill Net / Gill Net..... / Gill Net. / Gill Net. subtotal: Gill Net SPRING SEASON OAL: After Spring subtotal: subtotal: Gill Net AFER SPRING OAL: OAL: Quota Balance Netting,..,.. /Netting.,..,.,. Lake opened but no effort. Dates without a double asterisk indicate effort occurred.