The Department of Natural Resources reminds the public that certain fishing opportunities for tribal members under the 1836 Treaty of Washington are different than those allowed for state-licensed recreational anglers under Michigan law, and that these activities may be observed this spring.

As established under the 2007 Inland Consent Decree, Tribal members may use spears or conventional fishing tackle to take walleye and steelhead in some waters of Michigan covered by the 1836 Treaty of Washington during periods when these waters are closed to fishing for State-licensed recreational anglers.

A map of the portion of Michigan covered by the 1836 Treaty of Washington can be found by following this link to the DNR Web site: http://michigan.gov/documents/dnr/treaty_1836_boundary-STATEWIDE_220728_7.pdf.

"We appreciate anglers' concerns when they see something unusual occurring, but we ask people not to interfere with Tribal members who are exercising their rights under the 2007 Inland Consent Decree," said Nick Popoff, the DNR Fisheries Division's tribal coordinator. "If you think a violation is in progress, you can call the DNR's Report All Poaching line (800-292-7800) and report it."

The area ceded under the 1836 Treaty of Washington includes the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. For information on the 2007 Inland Consent Decree, check the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.