Pigeon Lake Whitefish

[trigger7mm]

Are gill nets a common thing at Pigeon?

[Red Bullets]

Originally Posted by trigger7mm

Are gill nets a common thing at Pigeon?

I would think there would be some First Nations netting every year. North of Mameo beach is reserve land that would entitle those First Nations lake residents to traditionally place nets at Pigeon.

[Curtsyneil]

They net every year from what I’ve seen over the years. Any indigenous has the right to do so. There is no more commercial netting on the lake.

[pikeman06]

Sad to say but they might as well net the last few out. There's no recruitment and hasn't been for years. Sheez done. Even the nets don't catch much I hear. Summer kills and predation have taken their toll. Wallies ate all the young ones. I bet those 8 lb whites are 15 years old. Correct me if I'm wrong

[Drewski Canuck]

Funny thing about fn netting. VERY few will set a net as the elders cannot get the youth to do it any more.

The youth don't know or don't want to clean fish. What is happening is people with Melissa status, usually new found status, are netting where they are allowed. Alot of First Nations groups are very protective of the lakes in their harvest area and do not tolerate Metis setting nets there.

As for Pigeon lake whites maybe more walleye should be removed to allow the whites to recover.

Drewski

[WildCats]

You generally see first nations nets in the vicinity of the island. Metis nets that I've seen have been on the west end between the Prov Park and Fishers Home.