LEECH LAKE DIVISION OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANT RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
-FISHERIES PROGRAM-

WHAT WE DO...
The Fisheries Program within the Division of Resources Management works to protect and enhance the fisheries and other aquatic resources on the Reservation for current and future generations of tribal members. The Leech Lake Reservation has abundant surface waters with about half our surface area covered by lakes, streams or wetlands. There are over 250 named lakes and many miles of boatable streams on the reservation. The most popular large lakes include Leech Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, and Cass Lake, but there are hundreds of other lakes that contain fish on the Reservation. The Mississippi River also passes through the Reservation. There are over 50 species of fish found on the Reservation with walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish the most popular for sportfishing. Tribal members also hold the lake whitefish, a species only found in some of the larger deeper lakes, in high regard. A list of the fish species found on the Reservation can be found at (link to list to be provided).

Most fishing that occurs on the Reservation is in the form of hook and line sport fishing, but tribal members can also take fish by gill net under federal treaty rights that were never relinquished. Under the Conservation Code of the Leech Lake Band, only Leech Lake enrolled members may take game fish by netting for personal family use and they may not be sold. This harvest makes up less than 5% of the total harvest of game fish on the Reservation. Non-game fish such as whitefish, tullibee, suckers, and bullheads can by taken during a commercial netting season and sold.

The Fisheries Section of the Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Resources Program annually undertakes a number of projects to enhance or monitor fish populations in Reservation waters.



OUR PRIORITIES...
The Department of Fisheries is dedicated to the protection of the fishery on the Leech Lake Reservation .

LINKS:

CONTACT A PERSON IN FISHERIES...
John Ringle, Program Director 218-335-7421
Steve Mortensen, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 218-335-7423
Dr. Rebecca Knowles, Plant and Habitat Ecologist, Planner 218-335-7428
Tyler Godin, Botanist, Invasive Species Coordinator 218-335-7442
Arlene Northbird, Ojibwe Fisheries Manager 218-335-7426
Gary White, Assistant Hatchery Manager 218-335-7424
Jon Finn, Field Specialist 218-335-7424
Richard Tanner, Maintenance Technician 218-335-7425
Martin Robinson, Technician 218-335-7425
James Reyes, Greenhouse Technician 218-335-7426

CONTACT A PERSON...
Click this link for a list of all employees of the division and their contact information.