Beginning in fall 2019 through June 2022, representatives from the State negotiating team regularly met with attorneys and representatives from the amicus groups. These groups represented the interests of recreational anglers during negotiations. They were involved during negotiations in discussions about: the management framework for Lake Trout and Lake Whitefish; information sharing; allocation; closed areas; management of other species; and stocking, net marking, and gear usage in the Little Traverse Zone, Bays de Noc zone, western Lake Superior, the Little River Zone, and the Bay Mills Zone. The Parties and amicus groups were bound by a confidentiality agreement, which was necessary for productive talks. When the amicus groups sought to intervene and obtain party status in the negotiations, they violated the terms of the confidentiality agreement. All the parties involved – Tribal governments, the state government and the federal government – agreed that a violation of the confidentiality agreement occurred. As a result of that action, the State could no longer share confidential information with the amicus groups. In-person negotiations continued into August of 2022, and the State did not exclude the amicus groups from any discussions. The groups did not approach the State to provide any input or feedback during those negotiations. These groups have had a chance to file objections to the proposed decree with the court, and the Parties will have a chance to formally respond to their objections by early March 2023.