Cant but you believe in junk science right? I'm sure some scientist can come up with one. lol I'm just trying to point out to you that theres another side to almost all this stuff.

If the netters released all the big females back into the lake and some died and were found floating on shore what would happen? There would be public outrage saying the bands are destroying the fishery. Like I said you cant satisfy everybody!

Which is why the Tribes should be using live traps, or maybe even shock the water with electricity and only pick the good eaters.

Or, make the meshes smaller, allowing the bigger fish not to pass through.

Seems like somebody always got all the answers! They could probly do all that but someone would still be outraged over lack of eatersize fish.

I don't think this is all that true. I went down and watched some rough fishing this year with nets. I saw them release a few lively game fish. Didn't see any floaters in there. But then, they don't use gill nets either.

Now you're just being silly. Follow the logic: when you put back the larger females, those females than produce MORE fish, which grow into eaters.

liljohnson, you miss the point that many of us are trying to make. I can understand that you are closer to this than most of us, but try to have an open mind about it...

You point out some things that I was not completely aware of, as far as the 'conquered nation' thing goes, thank you for the history lesson that I know that I never received, but my main point stays the same.

I honestly believe that there has to be a way to allow the native netting continue without causing such an uproar. I also believe that if things like electric fishing and/or trap netting were used rather than gill nets, or even a gill net with smaller seine, there would be less outrage. Especially if those kinds of things were shown publicly, as the video on YouTube and channel 9 were/are. I know that if I saw the netters practicing selective harvest (even using nets, this is possible) as I do personally, my problem with this issue would be gone.
This doesn't have to be an absolute on either side, but maybe a middle ground can be found, which makes sure of the continued health of the fishery for generations to come while allowing both sides to enjoy the resource.
Hopefully some day we can look back at this issue and ask why we didn't make some changes to the system earlier.

Someone always has answers sometimes I like them sometimes I don't but the netting has gone on through the good angling years and the bad it's not going to stop, people need to deal with it and not get so personally involved. We are talking about fishing not life and death here. It all comes down to someone having more than me. Come on. I am not for or against netting, but come on, we all still like to fish. If the fish were jumping in the boat would you bitch then. Most likely not. Go fish to have fun. If you don't catch anything did you have fun? Would you rather be working? This is a sport not life or death for anyone on either side of the issue. Remember fishing is about fishing not catching. Take your young ones with you catch some panfish and toss them back. Talk about good times. Does it really matter? Really does it matter in the whole scheme of life if you don't catch a limit of walleyes on mille lacs. Really. Will you die if you don't catch a walleye every time you fish mille lacs. I know some people need the satisfaction of a limit but I don't get it. I want to fish every day I can't. I blame work. Let's outlaw that too. Think about things for a minute or two. Put things in perspective of your life, it's a fish. That's it just a fish. We all have bigger thing's to worry about than who is stealing my fish. In fact everyone on this site who fishes is stealing my fish, doggonnit. Even you netters your stealing my fish too. Come on please daddy they get more than I do. But momma they kill them with their hooks too.



People we fish to have fun. People we fish too have fun. People we fish for fun. We fish for fun.

Should I write it some more.

We fish for fun we fish for fun we fish for fun we fish for fun we fish for fun we fish for fun.................

I agree with liljohnson. It doesn't matter what the Native Americans do they are a target, and sadly always will be. Half truths and whole lies have plagued this society. There is so many chicken littles today. The sky is not falling! Metrowalleye: I admire your stance on this issue, it shows character, but understand you do not have all the answers, nor do I. If there is a better way then I'm sure it will catch on, but you must give it time. Just look at our gas crisis, not everyone can buy an eco-friendly car tomorrow.

And to everyone else stop using the term "Indian". Show some respect. Americans refered to African Americans as the N-word in the past but that is culturally unacceptable, so please step up and make the word Indian the same.

right on Norm! I love to fish and hold no grudge to others who share that love. I for one am waiting for my first born (6 more months) to share my knowledge and passion for fishing with, not to mention tolerance. The next Al Linder will me be wearing my ugly mug...

On the contrary, this is a life and death situation if the native americans use it for sustenance for their elders.

Why is the name Indian disrespecful? For what it's worth, native means "born in", and American is self explanatory. In that respect, most everyone in America is "Native American". Indian is not slang, it is a proper noun that is all encompassing for a variety of tribes; from the Ojibwa, to the Cherokee, to the Sioux, and so on. There has never been a Bureau of "N" Affairs. I mean absolutely NO disrespect. I would like to say "can't we all just get along?", but I am afraid that will never happen. Professional sports is proof of that.

I can't keep up with what is politically correct now days I am never sure what term is OK any more. Should I be called Euro American instead of White? Shouldn't PC work in both directions?

This trying to be PC and please everyone creates more tension than is solves. Now if someone is referred to everyone is up in arms that correct term wasn't used. If you don't mean any disrespect what is the issue?

I'm talking fall gill netting, for white fish or tulabies. Some fish stay alive but not too often.

Oh yeah and heck I'm Native, Indian bothers some people but not me. As long as it's not placed in a sentance right after a bad word. HA HA!!!!!

This is the truth there will always be animosity towards us for the privelages our ancestors have earned, which we are still practicing, through giving up their land and signing the treaties.