03-02-2007, 05:10 PM
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hosting scoping meetings across the state discussing recommendations for the 2008-09 fishing and baitfish regulations.
This scoping process is in addition to the regular regulation setting process which follows in May. "We want to give anglers an extra chance to be informed about what is being proposed and really want to know their opinions on the proposals," said Dirk Miller, fisheries management coordinator.
According to Casper Fisheries Supervisor Al Conder, several recommended changes will be very different from current regulations. "We are looking at different creel limits on the various trout species. For example, brook trout would have their own category with a separate creel limit from other trout species. Another big issue is separating out rivers and streams from lakes and reservoirs regarding creel limits," Conder said.
"We will also discuss the possibility of a possession limit being double the creel limit in some fish categories and some waters," he said.
Conder also noted that the bait minnow regulation currently restricts the importation of minnows into Wyoming. "One recommendation will be to allow the importation of minnows that can be certified for importation so that we can increase the availability of them to anglers through licensed dealers," he said.
However, another recommendation will eliminate individuals who have a personal seining permit to transfer minnows to friends. "Anglers will either have to purchase minnows from a licensed dealer or purchase a personal seining permit," Conder said.
He added fisheries managers are also interested in relaxing equipment restrictions placed on commercial dealers to make it easier for them to collect minnows and thereby increasing the supply of minnows for anglers.
The meetings begin with a presentation, including a detailed overview of the fishing and baitfish regulation recommendations, followed by a question and answer session. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
March 1 Dubois Headwaters Center<br />
March 1 Gillette Campbell County Library<br />
March 5 Saratoga Town Hall<br />
March 5 Pinedale Public Library<br />
March 5 Casper G&F Office<br />
March 6 Cody Bighorn Federal Bank<br />
March 6 Cokeville Town Hall<br />
March 6 Douglas Converse County Courthouse<br />
March 6 Laramie Albany County Library<br />
March 7 Lovell National Park Service Visitor Center<br />
March 7 Riverton Fremont County Library<br />
March 7 Wheatland Platte County Library<br />
March 9 Big Piney Public Library<br />
March 12 Rawlins Jeffrey Center<br />
March 12 Jackson G&F Office<br />
March 13 Afton School District Office<br />
March 13 Cheyenne Laramie County Library
The proposals are available on the Game and Fish Web site . In addition to commenting at a meeting, anglers can comment on the proposals through an online survey or mail their opinions to: Fish Regulations, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006. The deadline for comments is March 14.
Fish managers will use the public's comments to help craft the next round of 2008-09 fishing and baitfish regulation proposals. Those proposals will be presented at another round of public meetings in May and will have a written comment period of April 30 - June 13. After that round of comments are evaluated, the final proposals will be presented to the Game and Fish Commission at their July meeting.
(contact: Robin Kepple (307) 473-3400 or Dirk Miller (307) 777-4600)
This scoping process is in addition to the regular regulation setting process which follows in May. "We want to give anglers an extra chance to be informed about what is being proposed and really want to know their opinions on the proposals," said Dirk Miller, fisheries management coordinator.
According to Casper Fisheries Supervisor Al Conder, several recommended changes will be very different from current regulations. "We are looking at different creel limits on the various trout species. For example, brook trout would have their own category with a separate creel limit from other trout species. Another big issue is separating out rivers and streams from lakes and reservoirs regarding creel limits," Conder said.
"We will also discuss the possibility of a possession limit being double the creel limit in some fish categories and some waters," he said.
Conder also noted that the bait minnow regulation currently restricts the importation of minnows into Wyoming. "One recommendation will be to allow the importation of minnows that can be certified for importation so that we can increase the availability of them to anglers through licensed dealers," he said.
However, another recommendation will eliminate individuals who have a personal seining permit to transfer minnows to friends. "Anglers will either have to purchase minnows from a licensed dealer or purchase a personal seining permit," Conder said.
He added fisheries managers are also interested in relaxing equipment restrictions placed on commercial dealers to make it easier for them to collect minnows and thereby increasing the supply of minnows for anglers.
The meetings begin with a presentation, including a detailed overview of the fishing and baitfish regulation recommendations, followed by a question and answer session. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
March 1 Dubois Headwaters Center<br />
March 1 Gillette Campbell County Library<br />
March 5 Saratoga Town Hall<br />
March 5 Pinedale Public Library<br />
March 5 Casper G&F Office<br />
March 6 Cody Bighorn Federal Bank<br />
March 6 Cokeville Town Hall<br />
March 6 Douglas Converse County Courthouse<br />
March 6 Laramie Albany County Library<br />
March 7 Lovell National Park Service Visitor Center<br />
March 7 Riverton Fremont County Library<br />
March 7 Wheatland Platte County Library<br />
March 9 Big Piney Public Library<br />
March 12 Rawlins Jeffrey Center<br />
March 12 Jackson G&F Office<br />
March 13 Afton School District Office<br />
March 13 Cheyenne Laramie County Library
The proposals are available on the Game and Fish Web site . In addition to commenting at a meeting, anglers can comment on the proposals through an online survey or mail their opinions to: Fish Regulations, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006. The deadline for comments is March 14.
Fish managers will use the public's comments to help craft the next round of 2008-09 fishing and baitfish regulation proposals. Those proposals will be presented at another round of public meetings in May and will have a written comment period of April 30 - June 13. After that round of comments are evaluated, the final proposals will be presented to the Game and Fish Commission at their July meeting.
(contact: Robin Kepple (307) 473-3400 or Dirk Miller (307) 777-4600)