Fish and Game Seeks Angler Comments

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking public review and comment on several proposed rule changes affecting fisheries and fishing opportunities both on a statewide and regional level. Three public meetings have been scheduled in the Southeast Region to offer anglers an opportunity to hear the proposals, ask questions and provide comments.

• Tuesday, September 18, Larsen-Sant Library, 109 South 1st East, Preston.
• Wednesday, September 19, Senior Center, 60 South Main Street, Soda Springs.
• Thursday, September 20, Fish and Game Office, 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello.

All meetings start at 6:30 p.m. The public may also comment on these proposals by contacting the regional Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 or by sending an email to Regional Fisheries Manager, David Teuscher, at david.teuscher@idfg.idaho.gov. Deadline for comments is September 30. The proposed changes would:

• Approve fish rules and the rules booklet for a three-year period, which would add one year to the current cycle of changes.
• Set Free Fishing Day for three years so dates may be 1 in the rules booklet.
• Modify spring season steelhead limits on Salmon River from Long Tom Creek (3/4 mile upstream from the Middle Fork Salmon River) to posted boundary 100 yards downstream of Sawtooth Hatchery to six fish per day, 18 in possession and 40 for the season. The spring state-wide season limit would become 40 fish, but no more than 20 in any combination may be taken from the Salmon River downstream of Long Tom Creek, Little Salmon River, Snake River or Clearwater River drainage.
• Edson Fichter Pond in Pocatello - Reduce the daily bag limit to two-trout.
• Treasureton Reservoir - Remove size and daily bag limit on bass.
• Bear River Tributaries - Expand no-harvest rule for cutthroat trout to include all Bear River Tributaries.

Proposals and public comments will be submitted to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for the quarterly meeting in November. Any approved changes would take effect January 2013.