Fish and Game Commission Adopts Fishing Rules

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, during its quarterly meeting November 15, adopted proposed 2008-2009 fishing rules, without changing current Silver Creek rules. New fishing rules include statewide 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 rules also include a change in the general bass limit north of the Salmon River to six bass any size and creates a year-round season. The commissioners set nonresident deer and elk tag quotas, adding white-tailed deer tag quota of 1,500. The addition would bring total nonresident deer tags to the 1996 level of 15,500 deer tags. They dropped the southeast deer tag. The recommended outfitter set-aside - 2,400 elk tags and 1,985 total deer tags or 1,900 regular deer - was approved. But the number of A and B tags in Selway elk management zone was reduced, and the season was cut by one week. The commissioners also approved land actions funded by mitigation money from the federal Bonneville Power Administration. The commission changed the turkey season to clarify that five turkeys may be taken in one day in game management units 1, 2, 3 and 5. The new language will be incorporated into the next rules brochure. Commissioners also approved releasing a new mule deer management plan and a wolf population management plan for public review and comment. Commissioner Tony McDermott proposed that Fish and Game pursue a full partnership with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to develop, operate and maintain a community, family and hunter based shooting range at Farragut State Park; and that Fish and Game transfer the Farragut Wildlife Management Area to Parks and Recreation with the proceeds going to the Fish and Game land legacy trust fund; and that any proposals developed by Fish and Game relating to these matter be presented to the commission for final approval. Commission Chairman Cameron Wheeler was re-elected to a third consecutive term as chairman. Commissioner Dr. Wayne Wright was elected as vice chairman. Commissioners also set their 2008 calendar.