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Fi shing ■ 



Fishing licenses are sold to tribal members and non-members on 

 a unlimited basis. All reservation lakes and the Navajo River are 

 open to the public. In 1993 there were 2,855 fishing licenses sold 

 which generated approximately $15,000. There were appro.x imate ly 

 25,000 user-days recorded by fishermen on the Jicarilla Reservation 

 in 1992. 



The fishing program on the Jicarilla represents the best 

 potential for improvement of habitat, expansion of recreational 

 opportunities and increased user-days and income. All of the 

 reservation's lakes are at relatively high altitude and require 

 aeration to prevent fish from dying during winter. However, the 

 lack of funds to bring electrical power to there lakes prevents the 

 tribe from installing aeration systems and fulfilling the potential 

 of these lakes to provide recreational fishing opportunities. 



SUMMARY 



The Jicarilla Apache Tribe has a long history of managing its 

 fish and wildlife resources to provide recreational hunting and 

 fishing opportunities for Indians and non-indians alike. The 

 reservation has a well deserved reputation for producing 

 exceptional trophy mule deer and elk; a product of conservative, 

 professional management. The Jicarilla Tribe funded fish and 

 wildlife management programs entirely with tribal funds until 1982. 

 Since 1982 the tribe has received a small 638 contract to assist 

 the program, but today that contract amounts to only 20% of the 

 total program budget. In 1988 the Jicarilla Tribe recognized the 

 need for funding habitat improvement and research projects, and 

 established the Wildlife Management Account. Ten percent of all 

 license sales revenues are set aside annually in this account. 



The Jicarilla Game and Fish Department has been a leader in 

 the region for research and management of mule deer and elk 

 populations, and their conservative harvest program for mule deer 

 is now being adopted by the State of New Mexico. The Tribe has 

 shown a degree of commitment to their fish and wildlife resources 

 and professionalism in the management of their resources equal to, 

 or above most state game and fish agencies. This has been without 

 the benefit of Pi t tman-Rober t son and Dinge 1 1 -Johnson monies that 

 are available to state wildlife agencies. The Jicarilla 

 Reservation already provides considerable hunting, fishing and 

 outdoor recreational opportunities to the general public. With 

 additional funding proposed under the Wildlife Enhancement Act. the 

 Tribe can expand these opportunities, improve habitats and ensure 

 the future of its fish and wildlife populations. 



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