Pursuant to the Nez Perce Tribal Code Section 3-1-11, the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to promulgate annual and seasonal hunting and fishing regulations and prescribe the manner and methods which may be used in taking fish and wildlife. Pursuant to that authority, the Nez Perce Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following fishing regulation for the Nez Perce Tribe.
Nez Perce Tribe
2013 Fishing Season Regulation #NP13-232
Ceremonial, Subsistence & Commercial Treaty Fisheries
For Steelhead, Fall Chinook & Coho Salmon in the
Snake River Basin
Effective 6AM August 22nd
Closure for Coho Salmon is 6PM November 15th
Closure for Fall Chinook is 6PM November 15th
Closure for Steelhead is 11:59PM December 31st
Unless otherwise promulgated by the NPTFWC
Ceremonial & Subsistence Fisheries
Fishing Areas: Areas open to Nez Perce treaty fishing will include the reach of the mainstem Snake River from Lower Granite Dam upstream to Hells Canyon Dam, mainstem Clearwater River and its tributaries including Lochsa, Selway & South Fork Clearwater rivers, mainstem Salmon River and its tributaries, Tucannon River, Grande Ronde River and its tributaries, and Imnaha River and its tributaries; in areas where steelhead and fall Chinook are known to migrate and spawn.
Fishing Gear and Methods: Use of all traditional Nez Perce fishing gear and methods are authorized, including, but not limited to, spear, gaff, dipnet, hoop net, and hook and line.
Fish Species:
Tribe will harvest hatchery Steelhead and hatchery Snake River Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon in the treaty fishery, and encourage the release of wild fish unharmed.
Season Length: The tribal fishery will remain open until the Tribe's hatchery harvest goals are attained, wild fish harvest limits are reached,or fish begin spawning, whichever comes first or as promulgated by the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Commercial Fisheries
Permit Requirement: Tribal members choosing to participate in the masscatch commercial treaty fishery must apply for, and obtain, a Nez Perce Tribal fish permit for fishing gear and methods that maybe authorized for use in accordance with this season regulation. Permit applications are available by contacting the FWC office. Fisher must have permit on them while fishing and when transporting fish caught during this fishery. An application cannot be used as a permit.
Permits Use and Mandatory Reporting: Fishers are required to inform the Department of Fisheries Resources Management Harvest at 208. 843-7320 before using permits. Mandatory reporting of catch by 1PM Monday each week permit is in use by contacting the DFRM Harvest at 208.843-7320.
Fishing Area: Snake River mainstem from an area upstream of the Lower Granite Dam to the an area downstream of the Hells Canyon Dam, and on the mainstem Clearwater River from its confluence with the Snake River upstream to the east boundary of the 1863 Reservation.
Sanctuary: No gillnet fishing will be allowed in a 100 yard radius from fish ladder entrance to the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery complex located on the Mainstem Clearwater River near Cherry Lane or in the Clear Creek.
Season Length: Closure for Coho Salmon is 6PM November 15, Closure for Fall Chinook is 6PM November 15, Closure for Steelhead is 11:59 p.m. December 31, unless otherwise promulgated by the FWC.
Fishing Methods: Set and drift gillnets are allowed with no minimum mesh size or length restrictions. No permit holder is authorized to fish using gillnets in such a way that gillnets may span the entire river width. Additional gear types including, but not limited to the following, may be used: setline, hoopnet, weirs, traps, nets and seines permit. Requests for use of other Traditional gear types & methods will be reviewed and may be authorized by the FWC.
Requirements for all species of commercial fishing during allowable sales seasons: Fishers must have a Nez Perce Tribal enrollment identification card - NPTC ?3-1-17. Also required are Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point training certification, a HACCP Plan and a HACCP Sanitation Plan. Fishers must provide receipts to fish buyers. FWC has receipt books available as well as fisher handbooks.
The following is recommended information for receipts:
a. Fish Seller's Name and Tribal I.D. number.
b. Name of the fish buyer.
c. Date of sale.
d. Amount of fish sold or number of pounds.
e. Species of fish and where it was caught.
f. NPT DFRM Enforcement phone number (208) 843-7143 or toll free 1-877-790-3474.
All Nez Perce Tribal Code sections and regulations applicable to this fishery remain in effect. Nets and gear must be checked regularly. Please catch only what you are able to handle properly. A Fishing permit may be revoked at the discretion of the FWC for the remainder of the season if Permit holder is non-compliant with existing fishery season regulations and the Nez Perce Tribal Code, and fisher may be subject civil or criminal penalties depending upon violation of Nez Perce Tribal Code or NPT fishing regulations. Respect the water and earth by putting litter in its place, and wear your life jacket for safety.
If you have fishing enforcement concerns, please contact the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management Enforcement Dispatch at 208.843-7143 or toll free 1.877.790-3474.
For more information on this regulation or for a permit, please contact the FWC office at 208.843-9376 ext. 4649.