Spearing limits

[luv2brw]

From the Lakeland Times:

Tribe, DNR at odds over spring spearing, bag limits
Leaders continue pointing figures, won't budge



The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians were issued a public challenge from DNR secretary Cathy Stepp last week.

Chairman Tom Maulson says it's going to take Stepp and the state to get off their "high horse and come down to their level" before an agreement to keep the walleye bag limit on the ceded territory at three, is reached.

Maulson spoke with The Lakeland Times this week after a Stepp's public statement hit newspapers, including The Times, criticizing the tribe for making adjustments to their declarations too late in the game.

For the past 15 years, the DNR has dictated the number of fish that could be taken, along with size limits to which spearers must adhere.

Those numbers are based off the total allowable catch (TAC) which is a number reached through spring netting and fall shocking surveys done by the DNR on a rotational basis.

As far as the agreement goes, Maulson said there are a lot of different options on the table in which adjustments could be made on the state's side, which would keep the walleye bag limit at three. Stepp, though, doesn't feel comfortable, and feels the DNR would be compromising the area fishery.

Maulson said the people of Lac du Flambeau haven't been getting a fair shake in recent negotiations, particularly with the number of fish they want to be allowed to take.

Maulson believes that even with the latest declarations, which have not yet become public, the state could feasibly keep the bag limit at three and not harm the walleye population in area lakes.

Stepp, however, said the state will remain strong in the opinion that there is not enough scientific information to back up the claims that taking more fish would not hurt the lakes in the greater Lakeland area.

In 1997, a compromise between the state and Lac du Flambeau set forth an agreement guaranteeing that the tribe would only harvest enough walleye from each lake so that a three-bag limit could be established for hook-and-line fishermen.

In return the tribe would be recognized as a sovereign nation, allowing the sale of tribal and state fishing licenses within the boundaries of the reservation. Funds generated through the sale of the licenses would be retained by the tribe.

Compromises between the tribe and state are reviewed annually. If the tribe decides in any given year that they would like to increase their fishing take, they must provide a notice six months prior to the spearing season of their intent.

For more up to date information, and more comments from Maulson and Stepp, see Friday's print edition of The Lakeland Times.

Also, for breaking updates, follow The Lakeland Times on Facebook and on Twitter. Check back for more updates online at www.lakelandtimes.com.

Douglas Etten may be reached at detten@lakelandtimes.com.

[Mark Benson]

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.as...rticleID=14893 Will take you to this story:


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March 21, 2012
3/19/2012 1:46:00 PM
BREAKING NEWS; State, LdF tribe reach spearing agreement
After impasse, Maulson says "win-win" for all

A sign that lies in route to Stearns Lake outside Lac du Flambeau tells tribal members what can and cannot be speared. The 2011 sign is an indication that there are certain lakes on the reservation that are not open for spearers.

Douglas Etten
Outdoors Writer


LAC DU FLAMBEAU - Tom Maulson, Lac du Flambeau tribal president, confirmed Wednesday morning that an impasse between the Tribe and State DNR secretary, Cathy Stepp, has been smoothed over.

After both Stepp and Maulson made public comments this week saying the other was to blame for what could have been a 2-walleye bag limit on lakes in the ceded territory, it seems as if calmer heads have prevailed. Details of the agreement between the State and Tribe were not available Wednesday morning, but a press release from the secretary's office was expected later on in the afternoon.

Maulson confirmed that his tribe, along with the LCO tribe near Hayward, had given the State their 24-hour notice that spearing activity would begin.

"There is no doubt that this week will be the start of the season," Maulson said. "Some of our lakes are ready."

After a disagreement between the Tribe and State on the amount of fish, and size of fish the Tribe could spear threatened sports anglers with a 2-walleye bag limit, it seems as if both sides have found a way to keep the bag limit at three, while allowing the Tribe to take more fish from lakes.

"I believe it is going to be a win win for everybody," Maulson said. "The State, the sports anglers and the Tribe. We have reached an agreement."

Details on the agreement will be updated when they become available.

More info from the Lakeland Times...

Mark

[Tom502]

Just read a new release from WI-DNR. An agreement has been reached with LdF tribe on spearing limits for 2012.

Lakes that had a 2 walleye limit in 2011 (TFF) will return to a 3 walleye limit in 2012.

For complete details follow this link:

http://www.dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingN...up.asp?id=2331

Tom502

[MonarkPro1650]

Good News! It has now been confirmed...TFF will have a 3 walleye limit this year...please check the 2012-2013 Ceded Territory Walleye Bag Limits link from the WI DNR web site.