Idfg Announces Fish Regulation Scoping Meetings For Upper Snake Region

IDAHO FALLS - While most everyone has been focusing on snow pack levels and rain gauges to help predict what the future holds for local agriculture and fish interests, IDFG fish biologists have been taking a step back and surveying the future big picture for local rivers and lakes. Biologists would like to share their ideas, as well as hear what the public has to suggest at a series of scoping meetings planned throughout the region for later in the month. The main issue that is sure to be of interest to the public is formation of a strategy to combat the problem of expanding non-native rainbows numbers and rainbow cutthroat hybridization on the South Fork of the Snake River. According to Fredericks, " There is no doubt that rainbow numbers are on the increase and that it is coming at the cost of native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. The challenge is to design regulations that give the survival advantage to cutthroat over rainbows." According to Regional Fish Manager Jim Fredericks, "Henrys Lake is a great example of another fishery that could be managed to increase angler opportunity, without posing a threat to fish populations." Fredericks is going to be asking the public what they would think about doing away with the existing fishing hours regulations. According to Fredericks, "Aside from steelhead and salmon seasons, Henrys is the only body of water in the state that still has fishing hours! " He is also looking at extending the season from the end of October to the end of November. On the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Fredericks is also going to be asking the public how they feel about expanding year-round fishing seasons for certain stretches and on adjacent rivers like Warm River. According to Fredericks, "The winter seasons have relatively low effort so biologically they are certainly affordable, so if people want more opportunity there is that option." SCOPING MEETING SCHEDULE - All meetings start at 7:00 PM

• Monday - April 21 - Idaho Falls - Eastern Idaho Technical College
• Tuesday - April 22 - Rexburg - Madison Middle School
• Wednesday - April 23 - Arco - Arco Elementary School
• Thursday - April 24 - Island Park - Timbers Edge Restaurant

Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting Jim Fredericks at the Idaho Department of Fish & Game at 525-7290 or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529(TDD). Individuals not able to attend, but wishing to comment may do so via E-mail at jim_fredericks@idfg.state.id.us or by regular mail to IDFG /1515 Lincoln Rd. in Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. The deadline for all comments is 5:00 P.M. on March 25, 2003.