Kaxdegoowu Héen Sháali (Montana Creek Fish Trap)
How did the Trap Work?
Background Knowledge
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 catch fish?
The trap was anchored to the river bottom, with a fence or weir like structure built in the river to direct fish into the trap entrance. Once inside, most fish could not get out of the small inner opening of the funnel.
How were the fish removed?
We do not know for certain. It is possible they were removed from the back end of the trap. Unfortunately, that part no longer exists for us to study. We can study the funnel end, and the lashings there indicate the funnel was permanently attached. In the middle of one side, there are tool marks and rope cordage that suggest the trap may have had a small door.
What kind of fish did the trap catch?
Dolly Varden trout and several kinds of salmon were known to use this stream. Apparently, eulachon and king salmon did not.