Here & Now

Lac Du Flambeau Tribe Fights State Lawsuit On Fishing Access

Frederica Freyberg:
A federal judge in Madison today considered the case of a Wisconsin tribal nation restricting non-tribal fishing for walleye and muskies. Members of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians arrived at the courthouse after traveling since before dawn to hear the arguments before the judge. The state of Wisconsin filed a federal complaint and early this month was granted a temporary restraining order to prevent the fishing prohibition against Wisconsin licensed anglers. The tribe seeks to restrict fishing on 19 lakes, including Fence, White Sand and Flambeau in Vilas County, arguing a loss of walleye and muskellunge population.

John Johnson:
There’s 260 lakes on the Lac du Flambeau reservation. If we were to shut down 19, there’s 241 more lakes you can fish and the 19 you can fish also with different species. It’s just the muskie and walleye we’re trying to preserve. We’re trying to see them make a comeback. And I don’t know why we have to fight about it, but I guess that’s just the way things happen.

Frederica Freyberg:
The initial temporary injunction allows all fishing to continue on the 19 disputed lakes. Following today’s hearing, Judge William Conley will decide whether the Lac du Flambeau has sovereign authority to restrict non-tribal members from fishing within its reservation.