Officers Cite 2 Men for Trying to Net Fish on Gull Lake

NISSWA (AP) - Conservation officers have issued citations to two tribal members who attempted to net fish on Gull Lake in Nisswa on the second day of efforts by activists to assert rights they say they hold under an 1855 treaty.

The confrontation happened just across the highway from Hole-in-the-Day Lake, where other Chippewa Indians harvested wild rice without state licenses Friday.

Conservation offers asked the fish-netters to stop as they were paddling to shore. But the two men landed their canoe and left the scene. The DNR later cited them. The officers did not confiscate their canoe and returned their gillnet.

The two sides disagree on whether band members have special off-reservation fishing, gathering and hunting rights under the 1855 treaty.