Tribal fishing reopens on Lower Red Lake after drownings

Fishing on Red Lake’s tribal waters has reopened for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians after council members met with the families of two fishermen who apparently drowned in early November.

Red Lake Nation News is reporting the special council meeting action this week, saying it breaks with a tradition that no fishing on the lake would take place until lost fishermen were found or recovered. But after two months of unsuccessful searching, it was decided that more people out on the lake as anglers could raise the prospects of finding them, the News said.

The two missing fisherman — 29-year-old Deland Beaulieu and 17-year-old Jacob Kingbird — went under on the eastern side of Lower Red Lake when their fishing boat capsized Nov. 6. A third fisherman, Dominic Johnson, swam to shore and was treated for hypothermia. Extensive searches have been conducted for the missing anglers.

The Red Lake Tribal Council issued a statement after its recent vote, saying its members had consulted with the families of the missing anglers. “The families agreed they wanted fishermen on the lake in hopes of covering more areas and bring their boys home.”

Red Lake Tribal Chairman Darrell Seki also issued a statement, reminding area anglers that fishing on reservation waters is reserved for band members only.