Going Fishing in the
Gwich’in Settlement
Area?
NWT Fishing Regulations
If you will be angling
in the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA),
you will first need your NWT Sport Fishing Licence,
issued by Department of Environment and Natural Resources, NWT
(see Contacts, below). All anglers must abide by the NWT Fishing
Regulations.
Click
here for a PDF version of the 2011-12 Sport Fishing Regulations Guide 
For a complete version, visit Northwest Territories Fishing Regulations.
Gwich’in Private Lands
In addition to
these regulations, sport fishing in the GSA is subject to the
terms and conditions of the Gwich’in Comprehensive
Land Claim Agreement. Permission is required to access Gwich’in
Private Lands (28% of surface lands in the GSA). These lands
are located throughout the GSA (all shaded areas in Figure 1).
Though recreational fishing on many portions of Gwich’in
Private Lands is permitted, fishing is restricted in some portions
(e.g., near Gwich’in Cabins, near traditional fishing areas).
- Day-use of Gwich’in Private
Lands
Notify
the Renewable Resource Council (see Contacts, below) in the
community closest to where you will be fishing. The RRC
will have additional information on where fishing is permitted. (see Contacts, below).
- Camping on Gwich’in Private
Lands
First,
notify the appropriate Renewable Resource Council (as above).
Second, obtain a camping permit from the Gwich’in
Land Administration (see Contacts, below).
Figure
1 – Land Ownership in the GSA
Special Lands in the GSA
Fishermen are also
asked to be aware of Conservation
Zones, Heritage Conservation Zones,
and Special Management Zones.
These areas are important harvesting, conservation, and heritage
areas for the Gwich’in and should be treated with respect.
For more information on these areas, please contact the appropriate
RRC or the Gwich’in Land Use Planning Board (see
Contacts, below).
Figure
2 – Special Lands in the GSA
Additional Information
For the particulars
of which parcels of land are off-limits please consult the Gwich’in
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA). The sections that
are pertinent to recreational fishermen are Volume I: Section
20.2.2, and Volume 2: Appendix F, schedules IX and X. Non-Gwich’in
have the right to use navigable waters, portages, and waterfront
lands associated with Gwich’in Private Lands
for travel by water or for recreation. The exceptions to this
are listed in the GCLCA.
For up-to-date information on camping rates, please consult
the latest version of “Land Management and Control Guidelines
with Schedule of Rates, Fees, and Penalties.”
| Contacts |
| Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, NWT |
| Issues recreational fishing licences. |
| Inuvik: |
(867) 678-6650 |
| Yellowknife: |
(867) 873-7184 |
| Website: |
NWT Wildlife |
| |
|
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|
| Renewable Resource Councils |
| Each community in the GSA has a Renewable Resource
Council. The council is a community-based advisory board for
renewable resource issues. |
| RRC Aklavik: |
(867) 978-2336 |
| RRC Fort McPherson: |
(867) 952-2330 (Band office) |
| RRC Inuvik: |
(867) 777-6652 |
| RRC Tsiigehtchic: |
(867) 953-3608 |
| |
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| |
|
| Gwich’in Land Administration (Gwich’in
Tribal Council) |
| The administrative body of the GTC that manages
Gwich’in Private Lands. |
| Lands Manager: |
(867) 777-7900 |
| Website: |
Gwich'in
Land Administration |
| |
|
| |
|
| Gwich’in Land Use Planning Board |
| Develops and oversees implementation of a land-use plan
for the GSA that provides for the conservation, use and development
of land, water and resources. |
| Land Use Planner: |
(867) 777-7936 |
| Website: |
Gwich’in
Land Use Planning Board |
