Draft Fish Management Plan Approved

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, meeting by conference call Nov. 17, approved a draft five-year fisheries management plan for 2001 through 2005. This is the fifth management plan developed since 1981. It may be downloaded from the department website under "What's New" at www.state.id.us/fishgame by December 1. The draft was developed after sampling public opinion with an angler opinion survey mailed to 10,800 resident anglers and 1,200 nonresident anglers as well as input from regional scoping meetings held earlier this year. Results are accurate to within a few percentage points of what surveying all 447,000 Idaho anglers would have provided. A similar survey was completed before each of the previous plans was drafted. The draft plan sets forth major fisheries goals and objectives for 2001-2005. It details both statewide and drainage-specific management programs. The Commission action releases the draft for public and agency review and comment. Regional staff will be having open houses and public meeting to gather input through December. A final plan will be presented for Commission approval in early 2001.