Fish Rules Changes on Hold

Anglers should hold onto their 2008-2009 Idaho fishing rules brochures for one more year. Current rules will stay the same through 2010, and then a new two-year rules brochure will be developed for 2011. In the meantime, Fish and Game fisheries managers will continue to take recommendations for rule changes from the public. In the course of the current year, fisheries managers will conduct public meetings or open houses on rule changes suggested by anglers. Managers also will present at least four ideas for rules changes to the public for consideration. These ideas are not formal proposals yet and deal mainly with clarification of rules other than bag limits and seasons. One idea would result in a change to the way anglers fish for sturgeon in Idaho. Fisheries managers are considering requiring a single barbless circle hook with a sliding sinker for sturgeon fishing. Because sturgeon may be caught as many as eight times a year, reducing the already low mortality rate is the issue for this long lived fish. Efforts to reduce hooking or handling mortality could improve long term survival of fish. A public open house meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, at The Sportsman's Warehouse, 16865 N. Market Place Boulevard, Nampa. A second open house will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, at the Sportsman's Warehouse, 3797 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian. A third open house will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at the Fish and Game office, 555 Deinhard Lane, McCall. Other public meetings or open house events will be held throughout the state. Please check local listings for meetings or contact your local Fish and Game office.