The Ashland NFWCO is continuing to work with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, BIA and the University of Minnesota, to restore a naturally spawning population of walleye in Red Lake.  During a March 2nd meeting, Frank Stone meet with the Red Lake Task Force Committee to discuss the walleye restoration program and performance indicators of this long term restoration effort. 

Several topics were discussed at this meeting:  

• Joint 2008 Assessment and Forecast Report
• 2007/2008 Harvest Year Estimates
• 2009 Summer Harvest Plans
• Law Enforcement Updates
• Red Lake Fisheries Technical Committee MOU

Yearly harvest levels of walleye remain under the safe harvest limits that have been established.  Both Tribal and State resource agencies will institute revised walleye harvest plans for 2009. The MNDNR will increase daily bag limits (four fish/day in the upper Red Lake).  Increased Tribal harvest in the lower lake will be achieved by hiring additional gill netting crews.

The 10 year MOU that the Technical Committee has been working under will soon expire.  The committee members were presented with a draft document and asked to make comments.  The members expressed optimism that the revised MOU will be able to be signed during the December meeting.

Historically, the Red Lakes have provided food, recreation, cultural pursuits, and income to many people.  Government leadership, cooperation, and coordination have been paramount throughout the recovery process.  All parties have demonstrated a willingness to provide leadership by example to achieve the community support and involvement required to reach the goals of the Red Lake walleye recovery effort.