Lake of Torches

We here at Into the Outdoors try to give all fish equal press. But in some cultures, certain fish sort of "swim to the top". In fact, one fish is so important to Wisconsin Ojibwe Indians, it helped give an entire tribe its name! Hundreds of years ago, Ojibwe Indians would head out in birch-bark canoes and shine torches in the water. The fish they were after? Walleye! The fish's eyes reflect the light, making it easier to see those that stay close to the shore during spawning season. When the French settlers saw this tradition being practiced on one particular lake, they named the lake "Lac du Flambeau," or "Lake of Torches." That name stuck, and now an entire Indian nation is called "Lac du Flambeau!" Unfortunately, as time went on, some people thought that when certain Indian land was ceded to the government, the Ojibwe lost their spear fishing rights. But Federal Courts have made it clear that the Ojibwe retained their right to spear fish on these lands. Today, the tradition of spear fishing continues.

For more info on spear fishing, go to:

Spearfishing Controversy