Fish Regulation Scoping Meetings Being Set

Every two years the Idaho Department of Fish and Game reviews the Idaho fishing regulations with the public and other interested parties, and in light of new biological information. January 1, 2002 signals the beginning of the next two-year cycle for fishing regulations, which means the formal public input process should begin now. Regional Fishery Managers have scheduled a series of public meetings around the state to take comments, suggestions and recommendations from anglers and others with a stake in Idaho's fisheries. They'll also be presenting new information on the waters they are responsible for managing, and running a few ideas "up the flagpole" to gauge whether Idahoans think they are worth pursuing. Some of the ideas that folks will have an opportunity to provide comment on are: 1. Creation of a "family fishing" designation for specific waters with simple regulations - possibly year-round, no size limits, general limits apply. Designated family fishing waters would be highlighted in the regulations booklet. 2. Standardizing bag limits to limit confusion (for example, having the same general bag limit for trout, walleye, bass, and pike - either 5 or 6). This measure could also include eliminating the "bonus brook trout" designation and allowing a 25 fish daily limit on brook trout, as well as reducing the daily limit on whitefish to 25. 3. Modifying the definition for catch and release to mean the same as "no harvest". In almost all waters where bait and gear restrictions apply now, "no bait" would be added to require the use of artificial lures and flies and single barbless hooks. Waters which currently have "closed to harvest" designations would be changed to catch and release, with no new restrictions on bait or hooks. Eliminates verbiage in the regulations, and reclassifies waters from "closed to harvest" to "catch and release". 4. Redesignation of the winter whitefish season to a winter stream fishing season. Provides for legitimate catch and release fishing for species other than whitefish, also would allow harvest of brook trout. Gear restrictions in place during the general season would also apply under this proposal. These are just ideas, Fish and Game is anxious to get feedback from the public as to whether these ideas have merit, need some tweaking, need to go back to the drawing board, or be dropped. Staff is also soliciting fresh ideas to make the fishing regulations more user friendly while maintaining and improving fishing. After this round of public meetings, we'll take what information we get, try to find where there is common ground amongst anglers and the biological capabilities of our waters, and draft firm proposals for public review and comment. Ultimately we hope to have publicly accepted proposals which will result in protection for Idaho fish, diversified fisheries, and better fishing across the state. If you have ideas, comments, suggestions, or recommendations on any fisheries management issues, please bring them to a public meeting near you. Public meetings are scheduled as follows: Panhandle Region - all meetings from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday 5/14 - Priest River, VFW Hall, 220 Larch Street Tuesday 5/15 - Bonners Ferry, County Extension Office, 6447 Kootenai Street Wednesday 5/16 - Coeur d'Alene, F&G Regional Office, 2750 Kathleen Ave Thursday 5/17 - Sandpoint, Wildlife Council Building, Bonner Co. Fairgrounds Clearwater Region Tuesday 5/1 - Lewiston, 6:30 AM, Helm Restaurant Thursday 5/10 - Moscow, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Latah Fairgrounds Exhibit Bldg. Monday 5/14 - Orofino, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Clearwater Hatchery Vis. Center. Tuesday 5/15 - Grangeville, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sr. Citizen's Center Southwest Region Tuesday 5/15 - McCall, 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, F&G office, 555 Deinhard All other meetings will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 14 - Weiser, Weiser High School Library, 690 Indianhead Rd. May 15 - Boise/Garden City, IDFG Hunter Eductation Center, 44th and Chinden May 16 - Nampa, Southwest Regional Office, 3101 S. Powerline Rd. May 17 - Mountain Home, Mtn Home Bingo Parlor, 3285 Airbase Rd. Magic Valley Region - All meetings 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday 5/14 - Burley, City Hall Tuesday 5/15 - Hailey, Court House Wednesday 5/16 - Jerome, check with Regional Office (324-4359) for location Southeast Region - All meetings begin at 7:00 PM Tuesday 5/1 - Blackfoot, Mountain View Middle School Wednesday 5/2 - Malad, Malad high School Thursday 5/3 - Montpelier, Oregon Trail Museum Tuesday 5/8 - Pocatello, ISU Student Union, Little Wood Room Wednesday 5/9 - Preston, Archery Club, West Oneida Street Thursday 5/10 - Soda Springs, City Hall Upper Snake Region - All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Monday 5/14 - Idaho Falls Fish and Game office Tuesday 5/15 - St. Anthony, Fremont Co. Court House Thursday 5/17 - Mackay Junior High School Salmon Region - Check with Regional Office (756-2271) for time and place Thursday 5/17 - Stanley Friday 5/18 - Challis Friday 5/25 - Salmon This schedule will be updated as more information comes in. If you are unable to attend a meeting but want to comment, please contact us at one of the regional offices, or at the headquarters office. Your input is valued and appreciated.