Anglers Continue to Protest Nez Perce Gillnetting

Associated Press

LEWISTON -- Anglers in northcentral Idaho continue to protest the recent decision by the Nez Perce tribe to start gill net fishing for steelhead on the Clearwater and Snake rivers.

The group Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife is holding meetings to protest the move.

Jason Hollibaugh says time and money have gone into restoring runs of wild steelhead.
All that could be damaged if the tribe starts gill netting the fish, which could result in indiscriminate taking of wild fish.

The tribe, meanwhile, is asking for a fair examination of their fishery impacts, not just criticism over the method.

Clifford Allen, a tribal member, says an 1855 treaty gives the tribe the right to harvest fish on tribal lands -- as it pleases.