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
2015 Season Regulation NPTFWC #15-260A-271
Steelhead & Fall Chinook Salmon
(Amendment to Regulation #15-260)
Snake River Basin and its Tributaries
Steelhead & Fall Chinook Salmon
Commercial Treaty Fisheries
Effective 6PM September 29, 2015
CLOSURE for Fall Chinook is 6PM November 15
CLOSURE for Steelhead is 6PM December 31
Unless otherwise promulgated by the NPTFWC
FISHING GEAR: 8-inch minimum mesh size restriction.
COMMERCIAL FISHING AREAS: Areas include the 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: The fisheries will be open September 15 for Snake River fall chinook through 6PM October 15, and for Snake River steelhead through 6PM December 31, unless otherwise promulgated by the FWC.
Tributaries are “Open until closed” for ceremonial and subsistence fishing for all species of fish, commercial seasons are open and closed by regulation. Tributary fisheries may close before the identified closure date if one of the following conditions results: tributary-specific harvest goal of wild fish or harvest levels are attained, or natural spawning begins, whichever comes first.
NEZ PERCE GEAR TYPES AND FISHING METHODS: Fishing methods permitted for use by tribal members may include, but is not limited to the following traditional fishing gear: gaff, dip net, hoopnet, bow, spear, scaffold, and hook and line.
Fishing Methods Authorized by a Permit: Tribal members choosing to participate in the 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. An application cannot be used as a permit.
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 gillnet(s) may span the entire river width. Additional gear types including, but not limited to the following, may be used if a permit is authorized to Tribal member(s): 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.
Release wild fish (adipose fin present) when possible if caught by hook-and-line or by net fishing (dip net, hoopnet, other), by doing so will help the Tribe keep the impacts to wild fish low and keep a fishery open longer.
PERMIT USE AND MADATORY HARVESTING REPORTING: Fishers are required to inform the Department of Fisheries Resources Management (DFRM) Harvest Monitoring program at 208-843-7320 and DFRM Enforcement 208-843-7143 or 1-877-790-3474 before using their permits each week. Fisher must have permit on them while fishing and transporting fish caught during this fishery, as well as supply receipts to fish buyers.
Tribal members participating in this treaty fishery shall submit a written or verbal catch report to Nez Perce Tribe DFRM Harvest Monitoring program staff by 1:00 p.m. Monday of each week during and after permit is in use. Catch Reports will be provided with each permit that is issued.
ADDITIONAL REGULATON REQUIREMENTS: All sections of the Nez Perce Tribal Code and NPT regulations applicable to this fishery shall remain in effect. Nets and gear must be checked regularly. Please catch only what you are able to handle properly. Fishers must have a Nez Perce Tribal enrollment identification card. A Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) Training Certification, a HACCP Plan and a HACCP Sanitation Plan are also required, and fishers must provide receipts to non-Indian fish buyers. (FWC has receipt books available as well as fisher handbooks.)
The following information shall be provided on receipts:
1. Fish Seller's Name and Tribal I.D. number.
2. Name of the fish buyer.
3. Date of sale.
4. Species of fish and where it was caught.
5. Amount of fish sold or number of pounds sold.
A fishing permit may be revoked at the discretion of the NPTFWC 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.
Please carry your Nez Perce Tribal Enrollment Card when fishing. Respect the water and earth by putting litter in its place and by keeping areas clean.
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If you have any fishing enforcement problems or need information, day or night, contact the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Enforcement office, 4270 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, Oregon. Phone 541-386-6363 or toll free 800- 487-3474.
Please contact Nancy McAllaster at the NPTFWC for additional information at 208.843.9376.
Please wear your life jackets for safety and take only what you can safely handle.