Anglers Asked to Comment on Fishing Rules

Do you want to see increased brown trout harvest on Silver Creek? That's just one of several fishing rule proposals submitted to the Magic Valley Region for consideration in the 2008-2009 fishing rules. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking for angler comments at an open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 31 at the Magic Valley Regional Office, 319 South 417 East at the Highway 93 Business Park, two miles north of the Flying J. "This is an important part of the public rules process" said Doug Megargle, regional fisheries manager in the Magic Valley. "Not only do we get to discuss the fishing rule proposals, but we also get to visit with the anglers to find out what they would like us to do to make fishing better in the Magic Valley and across the state." Other regional proposals to be discussed include: - Dropping the Ôno fishing from rafts or boats: float tubes permissible' rule on Silver Creek. - Adopting a general bag limit of six trout on Lime Creek. Statewide proposals: - Removing bull frogs from the game fish species list. - Increasing the legal size of crayfish. - Prohibiting the import of live aquatic organisms - leeches, salamanders, crayfish, etc. - into Idaho without a proper permit. For information on the open house, call 324-4359. Comments may also be submitted by phone at 208-324-4359 or by e-mail at MVFishery@idfg.idaho.gov. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting the Magic Valley Regional office at 324-4359 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-2529 (TDD).