ODFW invites public comment on proposals for new angling rules at May public meetings

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[size 2]ODFW invites public comment on proposals for new angling rules at May public meetings

SALEM - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites members of the fishing public to comment on proposals for the 2005 angling regulations at nine public meetings being held throughout Oregon in May.

The comments received at the meetings will be used when the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission receives a preview of the proposed angling regulation changes at the August Commission meeting and makes its final decisions on the 2005 Oregon sport fishing rules in September.

The review process began in late 2003 with suggested changes submitted by the public, Oregon State Police Officers and ODFW staff. The process occurs every four years when ODFW initiates a comprehensive review of the sport fishing regulations.

Of the more than 224 proposals submitted and reviewed by the Angling Regulations Review Board, more than 120 are not recommended for adoption because they did not meet criteria established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The criteria require the proposals to be specific, easily understood, enforceable, consistent with other rules and policies, biologically sound, supported by affected citizens, or necessary to achieve an objective. The public meetings will focus on proposals that passed the Angling Regulations Review Board, but public comment will be taken on all of the proposals submitted. All the proposals may be viewed at [/size][url "http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/2005_regdev.htm"][#0000ff][size 2]http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/2005_regdev.htm[/size][/#0000ff][/url][size 2] or requested from ODFW by calling 800-720-6339, Ext. 76200.

The proposed changes include the following:

· Redefining the minimum length for "steelhead" as 16 inches statewide;

· Requiring anglers to display a valid angling license on their outer garment to assist with law enforcement;

· Changing the trout fishing rules in north coast streams to allow the harvest of two per day;

· Eliminating the protective closures for striped bass in the Coos River basin;

· Expanding the steelhead seasons in several Southwest Zone streams through April;

· Expanding the times and areas when bait may be used in the Rogue River;

· Allowing a limited harvest of wild winter steelhead in the Umpqua River;

· Allowing the use of weighted flies in the "fly angling only" area of the North Umpqua River;

· Expanding the bag limit to three hatchery steelhead in the Willamette River and tributaries above the falls;

· Increasing protection for wild rainbow trout in Crane Prairie Reservoir;

· Removing the slot (size) limit for smallmouth bass in a portion of the John Day River; and

· Requiring the use of one single-point barbless hook while sturgeon angling in the Columbia River, Youngs Bay and the Willamette River below the falls.

Public meetings will be held at the following dates and locations at 7 - 10 p.m.:

LA GRANDE: Monday, May 10, at Eastern Oregon State College, One University Blvd, Hoak Hall, Room 201;

BEND: Tuesday, May 11, at Central Oregon Community College, 2600 N.W. College Way, Hitchcock Auditorium; KLAMATH FALLS: Wednesday, May 12, at the O.S.U. Extension Office, 3328 Vandenburg Road; MEDFORD AREA: Thursday, May 13, at the Jackson County Auditorium, 400 Antelope Road in White City;

ROSEBURG: Monday, May 17, at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office, 4192 N. Umpqua Hwy;

EUGENE: Tuesday, May 18, at Lane Community College, 4000 E. 30th Ave, Building 17, Forum Room 309;

NEWPORT: Wednesday, May 19, at Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 S.E. Marine Science Drive;

TILLAMOOK: Thursday, May 20, at the Oregon Department of Forestry office, 5005 Third St.;

SALEM: Monday, May 24, at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters, 3406 Cherry Ave. N.E., Commission Room. ###[/size]
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