Fish Rules, Sturgeon Plan Subjects of Open House

Get a first-hand look at the new sturgeon management plan or comment on proposed 2004-2005 fish rules at an upcoming open house hosted by Idaho Fish and Game. Open houses are scheduled for August 13 at Fish and Game headquarters (Boise), August 14 at the Fish and Game Nampa office and August 19 at the Fish and Game McCall office. All meetings will run from 7 to 9 pm. While local fish rule change proposals and the Department's draft white sturgeon management plan are the primary focus of the open houses, other regional and statewide rule change proposals will also be available for review and comment. In the Nampa portion of the southwest region, proposals call for elimination of special trout regulations on a short stretch of the Boise River in Boise. The current rule limits trout harvest to two fish over 14 inches from the east Boise footbridge upstream to the Loggers Creek diversion. "This recommended change came from Department staff," Fish and Game regional fish manager Jeff Dillon noted. "Based on our observations, relatively few people are aware of the rule, and because fish move freely in and out of this section we don't expect it to provide any real benefits in terms of size or numbers of fish. Also, it's a rule that's nearly impossible to enforce." In the McCall portion of the southwest region, proposals call for elimination of trophy trout rules on Little Payette Lake and Lake Fork Creek. The current trophy bass rule and kokanee limits for Little Payette Lake would remain in effect. "The increase in nongame fish has caused trout growth rates to decline in recent years," regional fish manager Dale Allen said. "Under this proposal, Fish and Game would continue to stock hatchery trout, but manage them under a general six-fish limit." Other proposed changes target Roosevelt Lake in the Monumental Creek drainage and Stibnite Pond on the East Fork of the South Fork Salmon River. Both would be placed under the stream season dates and catch and release regulations. This is a legal clarification and definition change for these water bodies; they are currently under catch and release regulations. Regarding statewide issues of note, Fish and Game is proposing to eliminate permit requirements for small fishing tournaments and to set dates for submitting tournament applications.