Minnesota DNR reminds Minnesotans of Tribal rights to harvest fish
Each spring, Native American Tribal members in Minnesota preserve their cultural heritage while providing a vital food source for Tribal communities by harvesting fish through netting and spearing. This legally protected, regulated harvest of fish usually begins at ice-out.
With the Tribal spring harvest season underway, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognizes Tribal members’ rights to exercise their harvest rights within the 1837 Ceded Territory and within reservation boundaries. The 1837 Treaty reserves to Tribal members the right to hunt and fish in the ceded territory, free of state regulation.
The Tribal harvest within the 1837 Ceded Territory is regulated by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Every season, both the state and Tribes agree on the quantity of fish that can be harvested, based on the long-term health of the resource. Then each Tribe declares to the DNR how many of each species of fish they intend to harvest from each lake in the ceded territory.
Harvest begins shortly after the ice melts, with fishing permits issued by the Tribes to their members. Each fish — whether harvested by spear or net — is counted individually and the data are used in fishery management, including lake-by-lake determinations of when the year’s declared harvest is reached and further harvest is closed for the year.
On-reservation harvesting
There are conservation codes the individual Tribal Nations establish for harvest within the reservation boundaries. Harvesting within the reservation boundaries is called an “on-reservation” harvest. Tribal members follow the conservation codes set forth by the governing bodies of their nations. A list of Tribal Nations and webpages for those seeking more information is available online.
Interfering with Tribal rights
It is illegal to interfere or attempt to interfere with Tribal members who are exercising treaty rights, including the spring harvest of walleye. Prohibited conduct against any Tribal member includes, but is not limited to, stalking, obstructing access to lakes, recklessly operating watercraft, creating hazardous wakes, threatening violence and committing acts of violence.
Reporting Tribal rights infringement
Anyone who has witnessed or been subject to active infringement of Tribal rights to hunt, fish and gather, including harassment or a verbal threat of physical harm, is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
People can also contact their local DNR conservation officer by calling 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.