The New York Court of Appeals heard arguments on Thursday in a Native man's fishing rights case.

Neil Patterson Jr., a member of the Tuscarora Nation, was given a $25 ticket for fishing on Lake Ontario. He failed to put his name and address on his fishing gear in violation of state regulations.

Patterson paid the fine but is challenging the citation on the grounds that the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua allows Iroquois tribal members "free use and enjoyment" of ancestral lands. The state counters that the land in question was sold by the Seneca Nation in a later treaty.

Patterson's lawyer says the state exempts members of New York tribes from having fishing licenses so this should extend to other regulations.

Get the Story:
Indian fishing dispute has first day in court (The Buffalo News 4/29)

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Native man fights citation for fishing without license (4/27)