Feds crack illegal fish net ring in Minnesota

Federal authorities are reporting a "takedown" of a suspected "significant operation" to illegally net and sell walleye on two Indian reservations in northern Minnesota.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the weekend crackdown on the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Minneapolis.

"I can confirm that there were federal agents involved in an operation to apprehend people who may be involved in illegally netting and then selling walleye," said Jeanne Cooney, an office spokeswoman. "Beyond that, we can't say anything at this time. We'll have to wait until charging documents are filed - if in fact any are filed."

Cooney said no one has been charged in the operation, which also involved the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local police.

The Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR refused to comment, citing the continuing criminal investigation as the reason.

Under agreements between the state and two tribes, tribal members often are allowed to fish using methods illegal elsewhere in the Minnesota.

Often, federal authorities will raid a targeted operation and seize evidence to be used in possible prosecutions. If authorities decide to seek a federal grand jury indictment, details might not be made public for weeks.

Allegations of illegal walleye netting have floated for years around the waters of the Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish, both of which are partly within reservation boundaries.

"We hear from other anglers and resorts when they find jugs out there attached to nets with no tags," said Tom Neustrom, a Grand Rapids-based walleye guide. "We know there's stuff going on."

Neustrom noted that members of the Leech Lake Land of Ojibwe are allowed to net walleye for personal consumption only; commercial netting is not allowed.

Frank Bibeau, tribal attorney for the Leech Lake Band, said Monday that he still was gathering information about the crackdown and declined to comment.

Red Lake, once the prized lake for the state fish, saw its fishery crash from poaching and overfishing, prompting a moratorium on any walleye fishing in 1998. In 2006, after an intense restocking effort, the lake was re-opened, with members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa allowed only to fish by hook and line. In 2008, Red Lake Fisheries reopened its walleye processing operations.

Leaders of the Red Lake Band could not be reached for comment.

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