The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to hear from anglers on a variety of issues important for the future of fishing in the state.
Anglers are encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings to provide their opinions and suggestions on three main topics: Development of the 2013-2018 Fish Management Plan, potential fishing rule changes for the 2013-2014 seasons, and the 2012 Chinook salmon season and limits.
The meeting locations and dates will be:
- Orofino: February 16, Fish and Game Clearwater Hatchery, 118 Hatchery Roe Drive, located northwest of Ahsahka Bridge.
- Lewiston: February 21, Idaho Fish and Game office, 3316 16th St.
- Kooskia: February 22, Kooskia Community Center, 26 Main St.
- Riggins: February 23 (6 p.m. Mountain Time), Best Western Salmon Rapids Lodge, 1010 S. Main St.
- Grangeville: February 28, Super 8 Motel, 801 W South 1st St.
- Moscow : February 29, Fairground Exhibit Building, 1021 Harold St.
Each meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a presentation and will continue until all angler comments are addressed. In the past, these meetings have lasted two hours.
Fish and Game wants to know how anglers would like their fisheries to be managed, and whether anglers think Fish and Game needs to make major changes in their management strategies or whether anglers support current management.
Angler comments from these meetings will help in the development of the next Fish Management Plan, which will span from 2013 to 2018.
Fish and Game also would like to know any potential rule changes anglers would like to see in the 2013-2014 fishing rules. Some of the issues that Fish and Game is aware of include limit changes on some of the Clearwater Region's streams and potential changes for the Clearwater River catch-and-release steelhead season.
Local fishery personnel will also discuss Chinook salmon management strategies used in the past and new ideas that could be used in the future to provide a more desirable fishery.
All opinions and suggestions regarding these issues are welcome.
Anyone unable to attend a meeting may provide their comments by contacting regional fishery personnel at 208-799-5010 or send their written comments to Fishing Rules, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 3316 16th St., Lewiston, ID, 83501, or by e-mail to Clearwater Fisheries Manager Joe DuPont at
joe.dupont@idfg.idaho.gov.
