Remove the 12-inch minimum length limit for bass in Hells Canyon Reservoir, while maintaining the daily bag limit of 6.
Rationale
Sampling data and angler reports indicate that Hells Canyon Reservoir has a highly abundant population of smallmouth bass. Currently, the fishery is managed with a bag limit of 6 bass and a minimum length limit of 12 inches, which under normal circumstances would slightly reduce harvest and lead to higher average size.
Recent surveys indicate that growth rates of bass in Hells Canyon Reservoir are very slow compared to national averages. Removing the length limit will allow for additional harvest opportunity and may slightly decrease bass density. Reduce density may improve growth rates of remaining smallmouth bass and increase the average size slightly.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.
Proposal
Remove the 12-inch minimum length limit for bass in Hells Canyon Reservoir, while maintaining the daily bag limit of 6.
Rationale
Sampling data and angler reports indicate that Hells Canyon Reservoir has a highly abundant population of smallmouth bass. Currently, the fishery is managed with a bag limit of 6 bass and a minimum length limit of 12 inches, which under normal circumstances would slightly reduce harvest and lead to higher average size.
Recent surveys indicate that growth rates of bass in Hells Canyon Reservoir are very slow compared to national averages. Removing the length limit will allow for additional harvest opportunity and may slightly decrease bass density. Reduce density may improve growth rates of remaining smallmouth bass and increase the average size slightly.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.