Ojibwe tribes in Wisconsin have raised spring walleye spearing limits in a move that was criticized by the state.

The tribes plan to allow their members to spear walleye on 535 lakes, with limits ranging from one walleye per day to three per day. A total of 59,399 walleye will be speared during the spring season.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources acknowledged that the tribes retain off-reservation fishing rights under their treaties. But the department claims non-Indians will be restricted to one walleye per day at 197 lakes due to the higher than expected tribal catch.

"The Chippewa tribes are acting lawfully within their treaty rights. However, over the past 10 years, we have seen a maximum of 10 lakes declared at one time for one-walleye bag limits. This drastic increase in lakes named at a one-walleye bag limit is significant, unprecedented, and a challenge to long-standing partnerships," DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp said in a press release.

Tom Maulson, the chairman of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe, said higher limits were needed to help tribal fishermen deal with the poor economy. He noted that the state has been ignoring tribes on other natural resource issues.

"The state is really overreacting," Maulson told The Wisconsin State Journal.

Get the Story:
Wisconsin walleye fishing could be limited by tribal spearing plans (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 3/19)
Chippewa declare big increase in spearing levels (The Wisconsin State Journal 3/19)
Chippewa tribe to take near-record walleye haul in spring spearing harvest (WTAQ 3/19)

Related Stories:
Lac du Flambeau Band hosts treaty rights fishing tournament (3/15)