Comment on Fishing Rules: Southwest

Plan now to review and comment on proposed regional and statewide 2008-2009 fish rules at several upcoming open houses hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. Open houses are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, at Fish and Game headquarters in Boise, and from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 20, at the Fish and Game office in McCall. Statewide proposals include changes in the legal sizes of crayfish traps, seines, and cast nets; changes in sturgeon fishing equipment requirements, and new restrictions on the use of live bait. The proposed rules include a change in the general bass limit north of the Salmon River to six bass any size and creates a year-round season. No changes are proposed for the southern portion of the southwest region. But in the northern portion of the southwest region, two rule changes are proposed. Fish and Game would like to eliminate the July 16 opener on the Little Salmon River and place it under the general stream season from Memorial Day weekend to November 30. A second proposal calls for eliminating the trophy rule and reverting to general regulations on Blackwell Lake. In addition, Fish and Game proposes that the new Cascade Aquarium Pond, due to be completed in 2008, be closed to fishing. The Aquarium Pond is intended to be used as an educational facility for the local community, school groups and tourists. Summaries of all statewide and regional proposed changes and an angler survey are available at Fish and Game's Website http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/. Persons unable to attend an open house can review the entire list of proposed rules and complete an online survey at the link above. Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Cece Swanson at the Fish and Game Nampa office at 208-465-8465, or Judy Wallace at the Fish and Game McCall office at 208-634-8137, or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD).