Draft of 2015 Fishing guidebook

[AmyC]

For those of you who'd like a little light reading, we've posted the near-final draft of the 2015 Utah Fishing Guidebook: http://go.usa.gov/7dTQ

If you happen to see anything that looks incorrect, please let me know. We're sending the proof back mid-week, so there are still a couple of days to fix any glaring issues. Thanks!


Amy Canning
Communications Specialist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
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[Fishrmn]

One thing that I have had a discussion about is whether a license is required to use two poles. There is a specific requirement for those under 12 to possess a valid license and a set line permit:

If you’re under 12 years of age and would like to use a setline, you must have a valid three-day, seven-day, 365-day or multi-year Utah fishing or combination license, and a setline permit.

However there is no clarification about those under 12 needing a license in order to use a second pole. But the regulations require a license to use a second pole:

If you have a valid Utah fishing or combination license, you can fish with two poles at any water in the state during its open fishing season.

I think it's a good idea to require the license to qualify to use a second pole. I don't think it would be wise to allow every kid to use two poles. There would be times where a parent would be fishing with nearly a dozen poles while the kids are off playing with a frisbee or something.



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[Fishrmn]

It looks to me like the drawings of a Utah chub and a Utah sucker have been switched.

The Utah sucker is dark olive to copper, with dusky fins and a downward-facing mouth.

There is no downward-facing mouth on the drawing. The drawing of a fish with a downward-facing mouth is listed as a chub.



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[UintaIce]

Thanks for posting the draft. It does make for some interesting reading.
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[The_Red_Leaker]

Looks to me that there is no permit required for 12 and under to use two poles. Right or wrong.......

Page 3

"No permit needed to fish with two
poles: Utah’s second-pole permit has been
discontinued. Licensed anglers and children
younger than 12 no longer need a second pole
permit in order to fish with two fishing poles.
For details, see page 12"
.
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[Fishrmn]

Here's what it says on page 12:

Fishing with more than
one pole
Utah Admin. Rule R657-13-7
If you have a valid Utah fishing or combination license, you can fish with two poles at any water in the state during its open fishing season.

If you don't have a license, are you legal to use a second pole?

Here's the actual code:

R657-13-7. Fishing With More than One Pole.

(1) [red]A person may use up to two fishing poles to take fish on all waters open to fishing, provided they possess an unexpired fishing or combination license, except as provided in Subsection (2) below.[/red]

(2) A person may use up to six lines when fishing at Flaming Gorge Reservoir through the ice. When using more than one line at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the angler's name shall be attached to each line, pole, or tip-up, and the angler shall check only their lines.

(3) Regardless of the number of poles or lines used, an angler may not take more than one daily limit or possess more than one possession limit. (4) When fishing on waters located within another state, a person must abide by that state's regulations regarding fishing with more than one pole.

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[Steve-0]

Glad to see the second pole change. I have been buying the second pole permit since moving to Utah 8 years ago.
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[downed_Phly]

Finally! A way to provide a digital copy of your fishing license!
From page 3:

Keep your license on
your phone or tablet
We’ve made it easier for you to keep
track of your fishing license and know
when it’s about to expire.
With our new mobile app, you can
now download your license to a smartphone
or tablet.
If a conservation officer asks to see
your license, you can easily produce the
digital copy, which is just as valid as a
paper license. You also have the option of
taking a photo of your paper license and
storing that on your phone or tablet.
If you use the app, you will receive
reminders before your license expires.
Then, you can use the app to quickly
renew it.
The app is available for both Apple
and Android devices. You can download
it at wildlife.utah.gov/mobileapp.

Well done DNR! I've been hoping for something like this for years! Now just change the size of the paper license to a credit card format. []

Edit: Ahh! Dead link! Dead link! Any info on when the app will be live and available for download?
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[Tarponjim]

That does sound good. Not perfect, but a great option. I can just hear it now though, "but officer, I really do have a license on my phone, but the battery went dead and I left my charger back in the (truck, home, friends house, dog ate it, . . . )" "It was fully charged when I left this morning, I must have left it on." "I dropped my phone in the water this morning, and now it won't come on." No different than leaving the paper license in the other shirt at home, or in the other boat, or in the waders from the last trip, or wherever else we've left them. Still a good option and "backup" plan for all of us, if the app works, and you fish somewhere in Utah where you might ever get asked for it in the first place.
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[downed_Phly]

[quote Tarponjim]...and you fish somewhere in Utah where you might ever get asked for it in the first place.[/quote]

That's the real test, haha. I've been checked once in 20 years, and it was when I was ice fishing on Echo res a few years back.

The app is up and running- just a bad link on the website. If you have an apple product, the app is called "Utah DWR". Pretty slick.
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[Fishrmn]

I get checked about once a year .... almost every year.
But I haven't bought a license in almost 23 years.



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[AmyC]

Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to look at the guidebook and share your feedback. You've definitely helped us make it a better book! To address your specific concerns and comments:

Fishrmn — We've clarified in a couple of spots that anglers younger than the age of 12 may fish with two poles. These young anglers have the same opportunities as licensed anglers in Utah, and it was not our intent to be misleading. Thank you for pointing out the need for clarification. You were also correct about the need to flip the two fish images. (We received that change from a handful of employees, too.)

downed_Phly — We're glad that you're pleased with the app, and yes, we know the link isn't working yet. We're in the process of putting the page together right now and will be actively promoting the app within the next few weeks. For those who want it sooner, it's available in the iTunes Store (for Apple devices) and the Google Play Store (for Android devices).

Beautiful-Fish and T2EK — You noted this on the Sand Hollow thread, but thanks for pointing out the issues with the double listing and the Sand Hollow regulation itself. We heard about that one from a few employees as well. We have corrected the regulation and removed the duplicate entry.

We had a couple of other tiny tweaks, but the ones you caught were extraordinarily helpful. Thanks again, everyone!


Amy Canning
Communications Specialist
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
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