Juneau-Douglas City Museum

Explore the timeline map to see what else was happening when the Montana Creek fish trap was made!

Timeline Map 1300-1500

The Montana Creek fish trap was made from plants that grow in Southeast Alaska. The design of this trap was very effective because it allowed fish to enter the trap easily. Once inside, the fish were unable to get back out. Click on the image to learn more about the shape of the Montana Creek fish trap and the plants that were harvested to create the trap.

Montana Creek Fish Trap Design

Learn about Kaxdegoowu Héen Sháali from discovery to exhibition at the City Museum in Juneau, Alaska. 

A Very Old Fish Trap

What Makes a Trap a Trap?

Design Your Own Trap

Observe a Photograph

Use the text tool to label the parts of the Montana Creek fish trap: FUNNEL, STAVE, HOOP, LASHING and also use the paint tool to draw an X on a STAVE, a HOOP and a LASHING. Be sure to use a paint and text color that stands out. 

Label the Parts of the Montana Creek Fish Trap

Introduction and Preparation

Diagram of a fish trap used by Indigenous Australians. Image courtesy of https://www.questacon.edu.au/discover/burarra-gathering/extra-information/fish-trap

How did the Trap Work?

In this resource kit you will observe an ancient funnel trap once used for fishing near Juneau, Alaska, you will construct a simple funnel trap to capture and hold a marble, and build and test a trap of your own design.

Kaxdegoowu Héen Sháali  (Montana Creek Fish Trap)

Engineering and Technology

Science

World History

Social Studies

Replica.png

This is a replica of the Montana Creek fish trap.  It is cylindrical in shape with a funnel at the entrance.  It was made from horizontal slats of hemlock and Sitka spruce with circular, bent wood ribs, lashed together with spruce root.  


Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Replica of the Montana Creek Fish Trap

Description

Object Information

Appears In

Kaxdegoowu Héen Sháali (Montana Creek Fish Trap)