Spring 2021 Harvest Guidelines for Mille Lacs

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in effort to keep our communities as safe as possible, we have updated the harvesting guidelines for this year’s spring harvest season. We humbly ask that all Mille Lacs Harvesters respect and comply with this plan.

After internal discussion, the decision was made to not ask the Wisconsin and Fond du Lac tribes not to travel to Mille Lacs Lake this year. All eight of the 1837 signatory Band’s have expressed interest and intend to travel to Mille Lacs Lake for the spring harvest. With that being said, in order to minimize the spread/risk of COVID-19, we ask Mille Lacs tribal harvesters to only use the landings identified below. We realize that some MLBO harvesters enjoy harvesting at off reservation landings, but encourage harvesting at on reservation landings in effort to continue to slow the spread of the virus between communities. The intention is not to prevent or limit anyone from exercising their Treaty rights, but is to protect the health and safety of our communities. All of the Wisconsin Band’s, along with Fond Du Lac and Mille Lacs Band are working on creating processes to keep our communities at designated areas and to demonstrate social distancing at landings.

Open landings for a particular day will be determined by a committee consisting of DNR staff, tribal harvesters and Elders. Considerations for the open landing will include: weather, wind and ice. Please respect the decision of the committee as we want to ensure the safety of our communities. The committee will determine what landings are open by 9am, and will notify harvesters via text alert system.

https://www.millelacsband.com/news/spring-2021-harvest-guidelines-for-mille-lacs