Indonesia follows a system of open-access fisheries and common property management, so that anyone can enter the fisheries without any restriction. This system has led to over-exploitation without any thought given to maximum sustainable yield. Fisheries management in Indonesia is centralised — laws are issued by the government and implemented by fishers. This approach to management assumes that the villagers and the fishers have no ability to manage the resources and that the government must manage the resources. Traditional fisheries management in Indonesia has been established for a long time in both inland and marine fisheries. The capture system in Bakuok Lake was established a long time ago. Till now no rules exist for Maawu Dabau Bakuok (MDB), but the local community obeys regulations. Although the system of regulations has been running well, an evaluation of MDB would be in order in the interest of future fisheries development. This paper results from a research survey conducted in September 1998 in Tambang District, Kampar Regency. Interviews were done with tribal chiefs, the head of Aursati village, the head of Tambang village and local communities. The study focused on two factors: essential and optional. The essential factor may be regarded as institution based. Basically, community-based resource management (CBRM) focuses on shared norms and objectives and on consistent adherence to some socio-economic goals. The optional factor of CBRM is the organisational structure which may change repeatedly, depending on roles accepted and recognised by the society. The study found that although MDB as customary law is ancient, some external elements have been introduced into it. The MDB tradition has become one of co-management. Cash penalties and confiscation of fishing gear have been a part of enforcement regulations. Social sanctions are not applied any more.