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

Transcription

1 Open-Water Spearing and Netting in the 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory During the - Quota Year by Nicholas Milroy Inland Fisheries Biologist Lisa David Inland Fisheries Assistant Jennifer Krueger Database Manager Eric Madsen Data Analyst Administrative Report 6- March 6 Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission Biological Services Division P.O. Box 9 Odanah, WI 6 (7)

2 ABSTRACT The - quota-year was the sixth year that open-water spear and net fishing was conducted by eight Ojibwa Bands in the 7 Minnesota ceded territory. A total of Band members participated in the fishery. Of the three lakes with effort, spearing occurred in three and gill-netting in one. Fish were harvested in all waterbodies that received effort. A total of,7 fish weighing,9 pounds were harvested. Walleye made up approximately % of the catch (, fish, 7,6 pounds). Other species harvested included,7 northern pike (9,77 pounds),, yellow perch (,6 pounds), 9 burbot ( pounds), and tullibee ( pounds). Most of the harvest occurred in Mille Lacs Lake during spring, which included,6 walleye weighing 69, pounds and, northern pike weighing 9,9 pounds. Of these walleye, more were taken by gill-netting (,77 fish, 6,9 pounds) than by spearing (,776 fish,,9 pounds). For all lakes combined, average length was 7.9 inches for walleye and. inches for northern pike; average weight was. and. pounds, respectively. The 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.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF TABLES...iii LIST OF FIGURES...iv INTRODUCTION... Regulations... Permit System and Harvest Monitoring... RESULTS AND DISCUSSION... 7 Fishing Effort... 7 Number of Participants... 7 Number of Permits Used... Number of Days Fished... Number of Boat-Hours... 9 Number of Net-Lifts... Harvest... Total Harvest... Mille Lacs Lake Harvest... Harvest During Spring... Harvest by Method During Spring... 6 Catch Per Effort (CPE)... 6 Spearing CPE During Spring... 6 Gill-Net CPE During Spring... 6 Walleye Mean Length and Weight... Sex Composition of the Walleye Catch... 9 Northern Pike Harvest... Yellow Perch Harvest... Tullibee Harvest... Burbot Harvest... ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... LITERATURE CITED... LIST OF APPENDICES... 6 ii

4 LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE Number of tribal members from eight Chippewa bands who speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery...7 Number of permits used by eight Chippewa bands during spring... Number of spearing boat-hours by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year...9 Number of net-lifts by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year... Number and pounds of fish taxa harvested from lakes with effort during the - quota year... 6 Overall tribal quota, declaration and harvest in pounds and percent of declaration taken during the - quota year for five fish species in Mille Lacs Lake... 7 Number and pounds of fish harvested in Mille Lacs Lake during spring and after spring... Spearing CPE (catch per effort; number or pounds of walleye per boat-hour) for three lakes with effort during spring...6 iii

5 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE Map depicting the 7 Minnesota ceded territory and eight Chippewa reservations in Wisconsin and Minnesota... Lakes declared for harvest in the 7 Minnesota ceded territory during the - quota year... Treaty fishing permit used during the - tribal quota year...6 Number (a) and pounds (b) of walleye harvested daily in Mille Lacs Lake by spearing and netting during spring... Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in numbers for walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during spring Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in pounds for walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake 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 ¼ inch, ½ inch, and ¾ inch (bar mesh) gill-nets and spears from Mille Lacs Lake during spring... Length frequency of measured northern pike harvested during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured yellow perch harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured tullibee harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year... Length frequency of measured burbot harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year... iv

6 INTRODUCTION A U.S. Supreme Court decision issued on March, 999 reaffirmed the rights of eight Chippewa tribes to hunt, fish, and gather off-reservation in the Minnesota area reserved by a treaty with the United States government signed in 7 (Figure ). This report presents data for harvest and effort by Chippewa spearers and gill-netters in 7 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 May ). However, additional harvest and effort occurred in Mille Lacs Lake during the fall (September 6 through November ), winter (January 7) and during early spring of (March -). Eight Chippewa bands actively participated in the - fishery including two Minnesota bands (Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac) and six Wisconsin bands (Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Mole Lake, Red Cliff, and St. Croix) (Figure ). During the previous year, a fishery by eight Chippewa bands occurred in which 67, pounds of fish including, pounds of walleye were taken (Milroy et al., ). REGULATIONS Harvest was strictly regulated and completely monitored under provisions of the 7 Treaty Conservation Code for the Minnesota Ceded Territory as amended January 7, 997. This tribal code contains regulations that govern the use of spears and nets to harvest fish. The code was jointly developed with the State of Minnesota, approved by the federal court, and individually adopted by the Chippewa bands. The exercise of treaty fishing rights in the 7 Minnesota ceded territory was also subject to provisions of the Treaty Fisheries Management Plan for the 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory for the Years -7. This harvest management plan established tribal walleye quotas for Mille Lacs Lake for a five year period, beginning with the - quota-year. Under this plan, the tribal walleye quota for Mille Lacs Lake in - was set at, pounds and could increase by, pounds annually if % or more of the previous year s quota is harvested. In addition to the Treaty Conservation Code and Treaty Fisheries Management Plan, a set of protocols were agreed to by the State of Minnesota and its Department of Natural Resources and the Chippewa bands. These 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 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory Fisheries Committee.

7 PERMIT SYSTEM AND HARVEST MONITORING 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 April 9. The catch rate value was increased to 7 pounds of walleye per net on April, reduced to pounds on April 7, and further reduced to pounds on April 9. Tribal 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 Mille Lacs 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 Mille Lacs Lake was monitored by creel teams under the supervision of Mille Lacs 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. Upon 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. 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. 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 and otoliths was collected for aging.

8 Harvest 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 daily and was used to update tribal quotas for walleye and other species. 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 noon, 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.

9 Figure. Map depicting the 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory and eight Chippewa reservations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Fond du Lac Red Cliff Bad River Mille Lacs 7 Ceded Territory Lac du Flambeau St. Croix Lac Courte Oreilles Mole Lake Reservation boundaries* Minnesota 7 Ceded Territory * Minnesota and Wisconsin Boundary 7 Ceded Territory Boundaries Miles N *The ceded territory and reservation boundaries are representations and may not be the actual legally binding boundaries.

10 Figure. Lakes declared for harvest in the 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory during the - quota year. Borden Long Camp Mille Lacs Aitkin County Crow Wing County Whitefish North Big Pine Platte Sullivan Ogechie South Big Pine Eleven Pine County Shakopee Mille Lacs County Razor Rock Morrison County Ann Pokegama Kanabec County Benton County North Stanchfield West Rush East Rush South Stanchfield Goose Green Sherburne County Isanti County Chisago County Anoka County Green Chisago Declared lakes with spearing or netting effort Declared lakes with no effort or harvest Reservation boundaries* 7 Ceded Territory* Miles N *The ceded territory and reservation boundaries are representations and may not be the actual legally binding boundaries.

11 Figure. Treaty fishing permit used during the - tribal quota year. FRONT BACK 6

12 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION FISHING EFFORT NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS A total of tribal members speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery in Minnesota (Table, Appendix B). Of this total, 6% were Mille Lacs Band members, % were Fond du Lac Band members, and % were from the six Wisconsin bands combined. Compared to, the total number of participants increased by persons or %. Table. Number of tribal members from eight Chippewa bands who speared, netted, or speared and netted during the spring fishery. Gear Mille Lacs Fond du Lac Bad River Lac Courte Oreilles Lac du Flambea u Mole Lake Red Cliff St. Croix Total Spearing only Netting only 7 7 Spearing and Netting 7 Spring Total Spring Total 9 9 Spring Total Spring Total Spring Total Spring Total 69 7 After the spring season, only one tribe had members who fished. Twelve Mille Lacs members netted during the fall and winter seasons, and eight netted during the early spring season. 7

13 NUMBER OF PERMITS USED For all lakes combined, a total of,69 permits were used during spring (Table, Appendix B), a % increase from the spring season. More netting permits (,7) were used than spearing permits (99). More permits were used by the Mille Lacs Band () and the Fond du Lac Band (6) than the individual Wisconsin bands. Of the total permits, % were used by Mille Lacs Band members, % by Fond du Lac Band members, and 7% by Wisconsin band members. Similar to, Mille Lacs Band members used more permits for netting (6) while Fond du Lac Band members used more permits for spearing (). Only Mille Lacs members netted after spring, using 7 permits during the fall and winter season and 7 permits during the early spring season. Table. Number of permits used by eight Chippewa bands during spring. Gear Mille Lacs Fond du Lac Bad River Lac Courte Oreilles Lac du Flambeau Mole Lake Red Cliff St. Croix Total Spearing 99 Netting ,7 Total ,69 Percent of total % % 7% 9% % % % % Total ,7 Total , Total , Total Total 9 6 NUMBER OF DAYS FISHED Overall, spearing or netting effort occurred on 6 dates during the - quota year (Appendix C). During a day period in spring (April through May ), spearing effort occurred in Mille Lacs Lake on dates while netting occurred on dates. In two other lakes, spring spearing occurred on dates. During the remainder of the quota year netting occurred in Mille Lacs Lake on dates.

14 NUMBER OF BOAT-HOURS A total of.6 boat-hours of spearing effort occurred during the - quota year (Table ), all of which occurred in the spring of (Appendix C). Fond du Lac Band spearers accounted for 7% of the boat-hour effort. More spearing effort occurred in Mille Lacs Lake (9%) than the two other lakes that received effort combined (%), a slight increase from the season where 9% of the spearing effort occurred in Mille Lacs Lake (Milroy et al. ). Table. Number of spearing boat-hours by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year. Lakes Mille Lacs Fond du Lac Bad River Lac Courte Oreilles Lac du Flambeau Mole Lake Red Cliff St. Croix Total Mille Lacs Other Lakes.. Total Percent of Total % 7% % 9% % % Total Total Total Total Total

15 NUMBER OF NET-LIFTS A total of, gill-net lifts occurred in Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year, of which,7 lifts occurred in spring (Table, Appendix D). During spring most gill-nets set (99%) were with.7 inch mesh. After spring a total of 6 net lifts occurred in Mille Lacs Lake by Mille Lacs Band members only. Effort occurred during both fall, winter, and early spring with.7 inch mesh gill-nets used most often (9%). Table. Number of net-lifts by eight Chippewa bands during the - quota year. Season Lake Gill-net mesh (inches) Mille Lacs Fond du Lac Bad River Lac Courte Oreilles Lac du Flambeau Mole Lake Red Cliff St. Croix Total Spring Mille Lacs. Spring Mille Lacs. Spring Mille Lacs , Spring Sub- Total ,7 Fall Mille Lacs. Fall Mille Lacs.7 Winter Mille Lacs. Early spring Mille Lacs. Early spring Mille Lacs.7 Total , Total , Total Total Total Total 6 9

16 HARVEST TOTAL HARVEST During the - quota year, a total of,7fish (,9. pounds) from taxa were harvested from lakes (Table ). Most fish were taken from Mille Lacs Lake; including,7 fish or 99.9% of the total number, and,9 pounds or 99.9% of the total weight. The other lakes with effort had less than pounds of fish harvested. Walleye, the species sought during most spearing and netting, made up most of the harvest. Walleye harvest comprised, fish or % of the total number, and 7,6 pounds or % of the total weight (Table ). Northern pike and yellow perch were the only other species for which harvest exceeded, pounds. Harvest exceeded pounds for burbot, muskellunge, and sucker.

17 Table. Number and pounds of fish taxa harvested from lakes with effort during the - quota year. Lake Rock Green Mille Lacs Percent County Pine Chisago Mille Lacs Total of Total Area in Acres 77,7,6, Species / Taxa NUMBER Walleye,79,.% Northern Pike,7,7.9% Yellow Perch,,.% Burbot 9 9.% Tullibee.% Smallmouth Bass 9 9.6% Largemouth Bass.% Muskellunge.% Rock Bass 9 9.6% Crappie sp % Sucker sp. 6 6.% Bullhead sp. 9 9.% Carp.% Bowfin.% Sunfish 6 6.% Total Percent of Total,7,7.%.%.7% 99.9%.% Species / Taxa POUNDS Walleye. 6. 7,7. 7,6..9% Northern Pike. 9,76.9 9,77.7.7% Yellow Perch,.,..% Burbot % Tullibee.7.7.% Smallmouth Bass % Largemouth Bass % Muskellunge % Rock Bass % Crappie sp % Sucker sp % Bullhead sp % Carp % Bowfin % Sunfish...% Total..,.9,9..% Percent of Total.%.9% 99.9%.%

18 Harvest of five species of fish was regulated by a quota in Mille Lacs Lake (Table 6, Appendices E, F). For walleye, 7% of the, pound quota for the - quota year was taken. For northern pike, % of the,9 pound quota was harvested. The percent of the quota declared and harvested for the three other species was % or less. Table 6. Overall tribal quota, declaration and harvest in pounds and percent of declaration taken during the - quota year for five fish species in Mille Lacs Lake. Walleye Northern Pike Yellow Perch Tullibee Burbot Quota,,,,, Declaration*,,9 6,9,7, Harvest 7,7 9,76,6 Percent of Declaration Harvested 7% % % % % * Throughout this report the declaration for a species is referred to as the quota for that species. However, in this table only, quota refers to the overall tribal quota for a species. Prior to the - quota year, four tribes declared a walleye quota for lakes other than Mille Lacs Lake (Figure, Appendix 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 two lakes and walleye were harvested in both (Table ). From Green Lake (Chisago County) Fond du Lac members speared 6. pounds (9%) of the 79 pound quota. From Rock Lake (Pine County) Mille Lacs Band members speared. pounds or % of the pound quota.

19 MILLE LACS LAKE HARVEST Fifteen taxa of fish were harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year (Table ). The majority of harvested fish were walleye, which comprised,79 fish or % of the total number and 7,7 pounds (Appendix F) or % of the overall weight. Northern pike and yellow perch were the only other species where harvest exceeded, pounds. For northern pike 9,76 pounds or % of the overall weight was harvested. For yellow perch,6 pounds or % of the overall weight was taken. Harvest exceeded pounds for three other taxa: burbot, muskellunge and sucker. Harvest During Spring. For each of the six fish taxa with more than pounds taken a greater percent of the total weight was harvested in spring than after spring (Table 7, Appendix F). For walleye and northern pike, the percent of the total weight harvested in spring was 99% and 9%, respectively. For the four other species with more than pounds taken, the percent harvested in spring was % for muskellunge, 99.7% for yellow perch, 97% for sucker and 9% for burbot. During spring, the weight of walleye harvested exceeded, pounds on dates from April to May (Figure ). Table 7. Number and pounds of fish harvested in Mille Lacs Lake during spring and after spring. Spring After Spring Total Percent of Total Pounds Species / Taxa Number Pounds Number Pounds Number Pounds in Spring Walleye,6 69,. 7.,79 7,7. 99.% Northern Pike, 9, ,7 9, % Yellow Perch,, ,,. 99.7% Burbot % Tullibee % Sucker sp % Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Muskellunge % Rock Bass Crappie Bullhead sp Carp 7 7 Bowfin Sunfish Total,6,7.,67.,7,.9 9.%

20 Figure. Number (a) and pounds (b) of walleye harvested daily in Mille Lacs Lake by spearing and netting during spring. a) Walleye Harvest in Mille Lacs Lake by Spearing and Netting Number of Walleye Date in April & May Spearing Netting b) Walleye Harvest in Mille Lacs Lake by Spearing and Netting Pounds of Walleye Date in April & May Spearing Netting

21 Harvest by Method During Spring. The majority of harvest from Mille Lacs Lake during spring was with gill-nets (Appendix F). For walleye, the weight harvested was much greater for gillnets (6,9 pounds) than for spearing (,9 pounds) (Appendices D, H). In addition, the percent of the spring weight harvested with gill-nets was % for burbot, 99.% for yellow perch, 99.% for northern pike, 9.9% for tullibee, and 9.% for walleye (Appendix F). CATCH PER EFFORT (CPE) Spearing CPE During Spring. During spring a total of.6 boat-hours of spearing was recorded in which, walleye weighing 6, pounds were speared (Table, Appendices F, G). Overall catch per effort (total harvest / total boat-hours) for walleye during spring was. fish and 7.6 pounds per boat-hour. The highest catch rate (walleye/boat-hour) was in Mille Lacs Lake (.) followed by Green Lake (Chisago County) (.) (Table ). Table. Spearing CPE (catch per effort; number or pounds of walleye per boat-hour) for three lakes with effort during spring. Harvest- Harvest- Effort- Lake County Area Walleye Walleye Boat- CPE CPE Number Pounds Hours (Number) (Pounds) Mille Lacs Mille Lacs,6,776,9.... Green L Chisago, Rock L Pine ,, 6, Gill-Net CPE During Spring. For gill-netting during spring in Mille Lacs Lake, a total of,7 net-lifts were recorded in which,77 walleye weighing 6,9 pounds were caught. Overall catch per effort (total harvest / total net-lifts) for walleye was fish and pounds per net-lift (Figure, Figure 6, Appendix D). For ¾ inch mesh gill-nets a total of, net-lifts were observed in which, walleye weighing 6,7 pounds were harvested. The walleye catch per effort for ¾ inch mesh gill-nets was fish and pounds. For ½ inch mesh gill-nets a total of net-lifts were recorded in which walleye weighing 6 pounds were taken. The walleye catch per effort for ½ inch mesh gillnets was fish and 7 pounds. For ¼ inch mesh gill-nets a total of net-lifts were recorded in which walleye weighing pounds were taken. The walleye catch per effort for ¼ inch mesh gill-nets was fish and 7 pounds. 6

22 Figure. Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in numbers for walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during spring. Number of Walleye in Each Net Set Mille Lacs Lake, Spring Number of Walleye 6 / / /9 / /9 / /9 / /9 Date Figure 6. Gill-net catch per effort (CPE) in pounds for walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during spring. Pounds of Walleye in Each Net Set Mille Lacs Lake, Spring Pounds of Walleye / / /9 / /9 / /9 / /9 Date 7

23 WALLEYE MEAN LENGTH AND WEIGHT Length was measured for a total of,79 walleye (% of the catch) (Figure 7, Appendix H) and aggregate weight was recorded for all, walleye harvested (Appendix H). Overall, mean length of measured walleye was 7.9 inches and mean weight was. pounds. For Mille Lacs Lake, mean length of measured walleye and mean weight were 7.9 inches and. pounds, respectively. For walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during spring, mean length and weight of measured walleye were:.6 inches and. pounds for ¼ inch mesh net, 7 inches and.7 pounds for ½ inch mesh net, 7. inches and. pounds for ¾ inch mesh net, and. inches and. pounds for spearing (Appendix H). Most walleye (9% of the catch) were harvested in spring with ¾ inch mesh net. After spring, walleye were harvested with ¼ and ¾ inch mesh net; mean length of measured walleye and mean weight were. inches and. pounds. Figure 7. Length frequency of measured walleye during the - quota year. Length Frequency of Measured Walleye Harvested During - Quota Year Number of Fish Length in Inches

24 SE COMPOSITION OF THE WALLEYE CATCH During the - quota year,,7 walleye were measured and sexed. An additional, walleye were sexed but not measured. The majority of the sexable walleye were male:, of 7,6 fish or 9% (Figure, Appendix H). Females (, fish) comprised % of the sexable harvest. Sex could not be determined for walleye. For walleye harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during spring, sex ratios (male:female) by gear were: : in ¼ inch mesh net, : in ½ inch mesh net, 9: in ¾ inch mesh net, and : by spearing (Appendix H). Respective mean lengths for male and female walleye captured by these gear were: and. for ¼ inch mesh net, 6. and 9.6 inches for ½ inch mesh net, 7. and. inches for ¾ inch mesh net, and 7. and. inches by spearing (Figure 9). Figure. Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group during the - quota year. Harvest (Expanded) 7 6 Harvest (Expanded) - All Methods Mille Lacs Lake, Spring Inch Group Male Female. 9

25 Figure 9. Estimated number of male and female walleye harvested per inch group with ¼ inch, ½ inch, and ¾ inch (bar mesh) gill-nets and spears from Mille Lacs Lake during spring. Harvest (Expanded) -." Mesh Net Mille Lacs Lake, Spring 6 Harvest (Expanded) -." Mesh Net Mille Lacs Lake, Spring Harvest (Expanded) 6 Male Female Harvest (Expanded) 6 Male Female Inch Group.7 as is Inch Group 7 Harvest (Expanded) -.7" Mesh Net Mille Lacs Lake, Spring 6 Harvest (Expanded) - Spearing Mille Lacs Lake, Spring Harvest (Expanded) 6 Male Female Harvest (Expanded) Male Female Inch Group Inch Group

26 NORTHERN PIKE HARVEST A total of,7 northern pike weighing 9,77 pounds were harvested from two lakes during the - quota year (Table, Appendix I). Average weight of all northern pike harvested was. pounds. Of the, northern pike with length measured the average length was. inches (Figure, Appendix I). Over 99% of the northern pike (,7 fish, 9,76 pounds) were harvested from Mille Lacs Lake. The remaining two fish weighing. pounds were speared in the spring from Green Lake (Chisago County). Most northern pike (, fish, 9,6 pounds) in Mille Lacs Lake were harvested with ¾ inch gill-nets and most of these were taken in spring (, fish, 9, pounds). Overall, % of the northern pike quota in Mille Lacs Lake (,9 pounds) was harvested (Table 6, Appendices E and F). For the,7 sexable northern pike, 6% were male and 7% were female. Average length was.6 inches for males and 7. inches for females. Figure. Length frequency of measured northern pike harvested during the - quota year. Northern Pike Length Frequency (N=,; Length =.) Number of Fish Length in Inches

27 YELLOW PERCH HARVEST A total of, yellow perch weighing,6 pounds were harvested from Mille Lacs Lake, with an average weight of.7 pounds (Table, Appendix J). Yellow perch were not harvested from any of the other lakes that received effort. The majority of yellow perch (99%) were harvested during spring in.7 inch gill-nets. Overall, about % of the yellow perch quota declared in Mille Lacs Lake (6,9 pounds) was harvested (Table 6, Appendices E and F). Of the, yellow perch with length measured, average length was inches (Figure, Appendix J). For the, sexable yellow perch, % were male and 9% were female, with average length of.7 inches for males and. inches for females. Figure. Length frequency of measured yellow perch harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year. Number of Fish 6 6 Yellow Perch Length Frequency (N=,; Length =.) 7 9 Length in Inches

28 TULLIBEE HARVEST A total of tullibee (aka. cisco) weighing pounds, with an average weight of. pounds, were harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year (Table, Appendix K). Tullibee were not harvested from any of the other lakes that received effort. The majority of tullibee (76%) were taken during spring in ¾ inch gill-nets. Overall, % of the total tullibee quota declared in Mille Lacs Lake (,7 pounds) was harvested (Table 6, Appendices E and F). Of the 6 tullibee with length measured the average length was.7 inches (Figure, Appendix K). Only six tullibee were sexable, the average length for the six males was.9 inches Figure. Length frequency of measured tullibee harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year. Tullibee Length Frequency (N= 6; Length =.7 Inches) 6 Number of Fish 6 7 Length in Inches

29 BURBOT HARVEST A total of 9 burbot weighing pounds were harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year (Table, Appendix L). Burbot were not harvested from any other lakes that received effort. The majority of burbot (9%) were taken during spring in.7 inch gill-nets. Overall, % of the total burbot quota declared in Mille Lacs Lake (, pounds) was harvested (Table 6, Appendices E and F). Of the burbot with length measured, average length was 7.7 inches (Figure, Appendix L). Average weight of burbot harvested was. pounds. Only sixteen burbot were sexable, the average length for the males was 7. inches and the length for the one female was. inches. Figure. Length frequency of measured burbot harvested from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year. Burbot Length Frequency (N= ; Length = 7.7 Inches) Number of Fish Length in Inches

30 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors extend a Meegwich to everyone that assisted with monitoring the fishery. We would like to thank Leanne Thannum 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 each species, along with the adjusted quota, the bag limits, and the number of permits available for each tribe. In addition, we thank tribal fisheries biologists, tribal wardens, fisheries technicians, and creel clerks who helped to compile harvest data each day. We also appreciate the tribal members who fished and patiently allowed the monitoring of the catch. Finally, we would like to offer a Pilamaya to Neil Kmiecik for editing this report. LITERATURE CITED Milroy, N., L. David, J. Krueger, R. Madsen.. Open-Water Spearing and Netting in the 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory During the - Quota Year. Administrative Report -. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI.

31 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDI PAGE A Catch Report Form: 7 Minnesota Ceded Territory...7 B Number 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...9 D E F G H I J K L Number of net-lifts per gill-net mesh, walleye harvest in numbers and pounds, and CPE (catch per effort) for netting in Mille Lacs Lake during spring... Quota, harvest, and percent of quota harvested by tribe and overall for five fish species in Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year... Number and pounds of five fish species harvested by eight Chippewa bands (combined and separately) from Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year. Data are sorted by season (spring and after spring ), by harvest method (spearing or gill-net) and by date... Number and weight of walleye speared, effort, catch per effort, percent of quota taken, and average weight in lakes other than Mille Lacs that were declared by four Chippewa bands for harvest during the - quota year... Number of walleye per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from lakes during spring and after spring...9 Number of northern pike per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from lakes during spring and after spring... Number of yellow perch per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Mille Lacs Lake during spring and after spring... Number of tullibee per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Mille Lacs Lake during spring and after spring... Number of burbot per inch group and sex taken by netting and spearing from Mille Lacs Lake during spring and after spring... 6

32 Appendix A. CATCH REPORT FORM: 7 MINNESOTA CEDED TERRITORY SPEARING LAKE: START: GILL-NET LENGTH: COUNTY: END: GILL-NET MESH: DATE: TOTAL HOURS: NET ID#: TRIBAL ID #: NAME: PERMIT #: SPECIES: SPECIES: SPECIES: SPECIES: LENGTH SE TAG/CLIP/ LENGTH SE TAG/CLIP/ LENGTH SE TAG/CLIP/ LENGTH SE (INCHES) OTHER (INCHES) OTHER (INCHES) OTHER (INCHES) TAG/CLIP/ OTHER TOTAL WEIGHT: TOTAL WEIGHT: TOTAL WEIGHT: TOTAL WEIGHT: MONITORING TEAM: IF NECESSARY USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS TO RECORD SPECIES, LENGTH, SE, AND AGGREGATE WEIGHT OF ALL FISH HARVESTED BY PERMITTEE SHEET OF 7

33 Number of members per tribe that speared, netted, or speared and netted one or more nights Appendix B. during the spring fishery. Also, number of permits issued for spearing and netting. Cumulative Percent Number of Percent: of Total: Total: STC RCF MLK LDF LCO BRV FDL MIL Nights Spearing Only 76.7% 76.7%.%.% 7 % % Total Members 9 Total Permits Netting Only Cumulative Percent Number of Percent: of Total: Total: STC RCF MLK LDF LCO BRV FDL MIL Nights.%.% %.% %.6% 7.%.% % 6.% 9.7%.% %.% 7 9.%.% 9.%.% 9 9.%.% 9.%.% 9.%.% 9.7%.% 9.7%.% 9.7%.% 99.7%.% %.% %.% 99.7%.% %.%.%.% %.% 7 7 Total Members, Total Permits Spearing and Netting Cumulative Percent Number of Percent: of Total: Total: STC RCF MLK LDF LCO BRV FDL MIL Nights 9.% 9.%.% 6.% %.7% 9.%.6%.%.% 9 %.% 7 Total Members 7 Spearing Permits 96 7 Netting Permits 66 7 Total Permits Grand Total Members 99 Spearing Permits, Netting Permits, Total Permits

34 Appendix C. Lakes and dates during the - quota year with spearing or netting effort. Month April April April County Chisago Mille Lacs Mille Lacs Lake Green L Mille Lacs L Mille Lacs L Harvest Method Spear Net Spear Date Total May May May Mille Lacs Mille Lacs Pine Mille Lacs L Mille Lacs L Rock L Net Spear Spear September Mille Lacs Mille Lacs L Net October Mille Lacs Mille Lacs L Net November Mille Lacs Mille Lacs L Net January Mille Lacs Mille Lacs L Net March Mille Lacs Mille Lacs L Net 9 9

35 Appendix D. Number of net-lifts per gill-net mesh, walleye harvest in numbers and pounds, and CPE (catch per effort) for netting in Mille Lacs Lake during spring. Weekend periods (Friday and Saturday) beginning on Friday April are noted. Permit Date April April April April April April 6 April 7 April April 9 April April April April April April April 6 April 7 April April 9 April April April April April April April 6 April 7 April April 9 April May May May May May May 6 May 7 May Total:. inch mesh (bar). inch mesh (bar).7 inch mesh (bar) Total:.,., and.7 inch mesh CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: No. Total Total Number/ Pounds/ No. Total Total Number/ Pounds/ No. Total Total Number/ Pounds/ No. Total Total Number/ Pounds/ Lifts Number Pounds Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Number Pounds Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Number Pounds Net-Lift Net-Lift Lifts Number Pounds Net-Lift Net-Lift ,, 6,6...,7,77 6,9...

36 Appendix E. Quota, harvest, and percent of quota harvested by tribe and overall for five fish species in Mille Lacs Lake during the - quota year. Species Walleye Northern Pike Yellow Perch Tullibee Burbot Quota (Pounds) Pounds Harvested Number Harvested Percent of Quota Harvested Quota (Pounds) Pounds Harvested Number Harvested Percent of Quota Harvested Quota (Pounds) Pounds Harvested Number Harvested Percent of Quota Harvested Quota (Pounds) Pounds Harvested Number Harvested Percent of Quota Harvested Quota (Pounds) Pounds Harvested Number Harvested Percent of Quota Harvested Mille Lacs,999,999.,97 6.%,,97..%, 6. 7.%,..% 7, 9.7.% Fond du Lac 6,,9. 7,66 9.% %,. 9.%,..%, % Bad River 7,,67.,96 79.% %,7 6..% %,..% TRIBE Lac Courte Lac du Oreilles Flambeau 7, 7,,9.9 7,.,66,.% 9.% % 9.7%,7, %.6% 7,6 9...%.%, 7.%.% Mole Lake 7,,.6,6 6.% %,..7% 7..%, 6.6% Red Cliff,6,, % %, % 7.%, 9..9% St. Croix,6 7,6.,.7%,6, %,..% 7..9%,. 9.% Tribes Combined, 7,7.,79 7.6%,9 9, % 6,9,..%,7.7.%, %

37 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Quota, Harvest, and Balance Summaries TRIBE=BAD RIVER NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA 7,. 79.,7. 7.,. HARVEST -, BALANCE,7.6 6., TRIBE=FOND DU LAC NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA 6,. 79.,.,.,. HARVEST -, BALANCE, TRIBE=LAC COURTE OREILLES NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA 7,..,7. 7.,. HARVEST -, BALANCE,7..6,

38 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Quota, Harvest, and Balance Summaries TRIBE=LAC DU FLAMBEAU NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA 7,. 99.,.,6.. HARVEST -7, BALANCE ,77., TRIBE=MILLE LACS NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA,999.,.,.,. 7,. HARVEST -,999. -, BALANCE, ,.9,99.6 6, TRIBE=MOLE LAKE NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA 7,. 79.,. 7.,. HARVEST -, BALANCE,7. 76.,

39 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Quota, Harvest, and Balance Summaries TRIBE=RED CLIFF NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA,6. 6.,. 7.,. HARVEST -, BALANCE,. 9., TRIBE=ST CROI NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA,6.,6.,. 7.,. HARVEST -7,6. -, BALANCE 6, , TRIBE=TOTAL NORTHERN YELLOW VALUE WALLEYE PIKE PERCH CISCO BURBOT QUOTA,.,9. 6,9.,7.,. HARVEST -7,7. -9,76.9 -, BALANCE 9,.,7.,.,6.,6.

40 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=BAD RIVER WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET /9/ NET // NET // 6, NET // NET // NET // NET // 9, NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET /9/ NET // NET TOTAL.,, SPEAR // SPEAR // SPEAR /6/ SPEAR TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL.,96, TRIBE=FOND DU LAC WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET //,,

41 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=FOND DU LAC (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET //,6, NET // 6, NET //, NET /6/ NET TOTAL.,9 9, SPEAR // 7, SPEAR // SPEAR // 6, SPEAR // SPEAR /6/ SPEAR TOTAL.,7, TOTAL TOTAL. 7,66, TRIBE=LAC COURTE OREILLES WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // 67, NET // 76, NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET /9/

42 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=LAC COURTE OREILLES (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // NET // NET TOTAL.,66, TOTAL TOTAL.,66, TRIBE=LAC DU FLAMBEAU WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // 7, NET /6/ 677, NET /7/ NET // NET /9/ NET // NET // NET TOTAL.,96 6, SPEAR // SPEAR /6/ SPEAR //

43 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=LAC DU FLAMBEAU (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT SPEAR /9/ SPEAR // SPEAR TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL., 7, TRIBE=MILLE LACS WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET /9/ NET // NET //, NET //, NET // NET // NET // NET /9/ NET //

44 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=MILLE LACS (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // 6, NET // 6, NET //,, NET //,, NET /6/ 79, NET /7/ NET // NET /9/ NET // NET // 7, NET //, NET // NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET 9/6/ NET 9/7/ NET 9// NET // NET // NET // NET // NET /6/

45 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=MILLE LACS (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET /9/ NET // NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET // NET /9/ NET // NET /7/ NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET /9/ NET // NET TOTAL.,7,67.7,, SPEAR /9/ SPEAR // SPEAR // SPEAR // SPEAR /6/

46 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=MILLE LACS (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT SPEAR /7/ SPEAR TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL.,97,999.,, TRIBE=MOLE LAKE WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // NET // 6, NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET /9/ NET // NET // NET // NET TOTAL.,7, SPEAR // SPEAR TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL.,6,

47 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=RED CLIFF WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET //, NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET /9/ NET // NET // NET TOTAL.,969, TOTAL TOTAL.,969, TRIBE=ST CROI WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // NET // 9, NET // 6, NET /6/ 69, NET /7/ NET // NET /9/

48 Appendix F. Mille Lacs Lake - Daily Harvest Report TRIBE=ST CROI (continued) WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET TOTAL., 7,7. 77, SPEAR // SPEAR /6/ SPEAR // SPEAR TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL., 7,6. 77, TRIBE=TOTAL WALLEYE WALLEYE N PIKE N PIKE Y PERCH Y PERCH CISCO CISCO BURBOT BURBOT WALLEYE GEAR DATATYPE DATE (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) (#) (LBS) PERMITS (LBS)/PERMIT NET // NET // NET // NET /6/ NET /7/ NET // NET /9/ NET // NET //, NET //, NET //