LEWISTON - - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is soliciting comments from anglers on proposed changes to the fishing regulations for the 2004-2005 seasons. Anglers are encouraged to attend and provide written comments at any one of the following public meetings:
Moscow-Latah County Fair Grounds
Wednesday, August 13
6-8 p.m.
Grangeville-Senior Citizens Center
Thursday, August 14
6-8 p.m.
Kamiah-Kamiah Ranger Station
Monday, August 25
6-8 p.m.
Lewiston-Community Center
Wednesday, August 27
6-8 p.m.
Orofino-Clearwater Fish Hatchery
Thursday, August 28
6-8 p.m.
Fisheries personnel will be on hand to discuss proposed changes and respond to concerns and comments. Proposed modifications include:
- Allow harvest of any size rainbow trout and kokanee (limit of 2) in the North Fork Clearwater upstream of Dworshak Reservoir. Maintain 14-inch minimum size on cutthroat and no bait rule.
- Reduce the limit of brook trout on Elk Creek Reservoir from 25 to 6 (included in the trout limit).
- Remove length limit from bass in Spring Valley Reservoir and classify it as Family Fishing Water.
- Open catch and release fishing for steelhead on the Clearwater River on July 1 (one month earlier).
- Open catch and keep fishing for adipose clipped steelhead on the Clearwater River downstream of the Memorial Bridge on August 1 (open one month earlier).
- Standardize wording in General, Steelhead and Salmon regulations on North Fork Clearwater River downstream of Dworshak Dam.
- Allow anglers to fish for salmon and steelhead using two poles with a two-pole permit.
- Modifications to the Fishing Tournament Contest rules that eliminate the need to permit the "buddy contests" and add rules governing "for-profit" tournaments.
Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Ed Schriever, fisheries manager, at 799-5010 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529(TDD).
Individuals not able to attend a meeting can review the proposals by visiting the Clearwater Regional Office, 1540 Warner Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. Comments can be sent to this address or electronically to
R2comment@idfg.state.id.us. The deadline for all comments is 8:00 p.m. on August 28, 2003.
