The Yakama Nation alleges treaty fishing rights in the Cowlitz and Lewis River systems, but such rights have never been adjudicated like their rights to the mid-Columbia and it's tributaries. The state does not recognize the alleged fishing rights and could be expected to oppose any exercise of them until they are adjudicated. The Tribe would like to finesse it without adjudication, if possible, because there is some risk of losing in a federal court. The federal agencies neither recognize nor deny the alleged fishing rights and seem to have a wait and see perspective.

Another player is the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. They have recently received official federal recognition, but the decision is under appeal by the Quinault Indian Nation, due in part to land complications. It seems that certain Indian allotments on the Quinault reservation have Cowlitz member's names to them. So if the Cowlitz Tribe is formally recognized, there may be some question about who has management authority over those lands.

Importantly, the Cowlitz Tribe is a non-treaty tribe, so it would involve some complex legal interpretations for them to acquire off-reservation fishing rights. Since they have no reservation at this time, that is of critical importance. As you may recall, the Chehalis Tribe is a non-treaty tribe. However, they have an official reservation on their home river, and their tribal catch comes from the non-treaty fish allocation.

At this time, no tribe has recognized and uncontested fishing rights to the Cowlitz River or its tributaries.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.