 Tribal members from two Minnesota reservations plan to fish with spears and gill nets to call attention to fishing rights they believe were guaranteed by a treaty signed more than 150 years ago. White earth tribal member and attorney Frank Beebo says the white earth and leech lake band members plan to go out on Lake Bemidji Friday the day before the state's official fishing opener. Beebo says the protesters want to get cited or arrested and then press the issue in court. Tribal members tried a similar approach three years ago, a confrontation led to charges but no changes in the state's position that it's illegal to gill net off-reservation. A similar fishing event was held on Lake Bemidji in 2010 about 100 band members took part that year. Chris Niskenen the DNR chief communications officer says the DNR position is that off-reservation harvest rights do not exist in the 1855 treaty and that state laws will be upheld. Niskenen says persons who violate state law will be subject to enforcement action that may include warning citations, seizure of fishing equipment, nets, and spears. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.