Angler comments wanted for 2006-2007 fishing rules

by Mike Demick - Idaho Dept. Fish and Game

Now's the time for Idaho anglers to tell Fish and Game what they think.

Idaho Fish and Game is in the process of updating fishing rules for the next two years. Several changes are being considered, some of which are statewide proposals, while others will affect regional fisheries. Steelhead anglers will also find several proposed changes to the rules for steelhead fishing.

Fisheries managers will consider all public comments before making final decisions about these proposals. If adopted, these rules will go into effect Jan. 1, 2006 and will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2007. Anglers are encouraged to review the proposals and comment by completing a survey on the Department's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/surveys/fish/ or by attending one of the public meetings scheduled below in the Clearwater Region.

• Moscow - Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. PDT, University Inn in the Latah Room, 1516 W Pullman Road, Moscow
• Lewiston - Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. PDT, Clearwater Regional office, 3316 16th St, Lewiston
• Grangeville - Monday, Sep.t 19, 7 p.m. PDT, Oscar's Restaurant, 101 East Main Street, Grangeville
• Orofino - Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. PDT, Ponderosa Restaurant, 220 Michigan Ave., Orofino
• Riggins - Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. MDT, Salmon Rapids Lodge, 1010 South Main, Riggins
• Pierce - Thursday, Sept 22, 7 p.m. PDT, Pierce Community Center, Pierce

Proposed changes to fishing regulations in the Clearwater Region include:

• Drop regional exception to bass size restriction by removing special bass rule stating "any size bass may be kept" for entire region. Anglers would still be able to keep bass of any size on the Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers, and Dworshak Reservoir. Those exceptions would be clearly listed for each fishery. This proposal would not change management on major bass fisheries in the region. It is intended to eliminate the confusion of having a regional exception to the statewide rule.
• Allow general season opener on Selway River tributaries by dropping July 1 opener on Selway tributaries and adopt general stream season. Fishing would open on Memorial Day weekend, and close Nov. 30. The same season structure is being proposed on Lochsa River tributaries as well. This rule is not necessary to protect cutthroat spawners. This is the same management plan that was adopted on Middle Fork Salmon River tributaries in previous years.
• Prohibit use of bait during the catch and release steelhead season from Aug. 1 through Oct. 14 on the Clearwater River from Memorial Bridge of U.S. Highway 12 at Lewiston upstream to the Orofino Bridge. This will maintain a traditional early season steelhead catch and release fishing experience on Clearwater River. July is not included because salmon anglers may still be using bait to fish for Chinook during some seasons. Fishing for other species is limited during this time.
• Add tributaries that enter the Salmon River downstream from the Little Salmon River as "Wild Trout Waters," which has a two fish limit. The new rule would read: Salmon River Tributaries upstream from the mouth of the Salmon River to and including Horse Creek Drainage except Crooked Creek, Little Salmon River and South Fork Salmon River. Trout 2.
  This change provides added protection of steelhead smolts on wild steelhead tributaries and reduces individual tributary listings such as White Bird Creek. This would not change the Brook Trout limit of 25 per day in Deer Creek or any other Salmon River tributary with brook trout present.
• Remove the "barbless hooks only" exception on the Salmon River from Riggins City Park Boat Ramp to a posted boundary at Short's Bar from July 16 to April 30. General gear rules would be in effect for non-anadromous species. Barbless hooks are required by rule for steelhead and salmon. This rule was created when there was no salmon fishing, and is outdated.
• Simplify bass rules on Elk Creek Reservoir by dropping slot limit and season limit on bass and adopt statewide bass rule and general season harvest. This rule is not necessary to manage bass fishery.
• Simplify bass rules on Moose Creek Reservoir by dropping the 20-inch minimum size on bass and adopt Family Fishing Water rule. This will create more waters with simple rules. Fifteen years of trophy bass management have failed to provide trophy bass fishing on Moose Creek Reservoir. Change will likely not result in measurable change to bass population structure.
• Simplify bass rules on Winchester Lake by dropping the 12-inch minimum size on bass and adopt Family Fishing Water rule. Few anglers target bass in Winchester Lake, while most voluntarily practice catch and release. This proposal would likely not result in measurable change to bass population structure.
• Manage and promote Deer Creek Reservoir as a Family Fishing Water to encourage family fishing with simple rules on new water. This would not affect current management of Deer Creek Reservoir.
• Conversely, it is also proposed to manage Deer Creek Reservoir as quality/trophy fishery. The goal would be to provide anglers opportunity to catch larger trout, but would limit harvest opportunity. The public has expressed interest in quality/trophy management of Deer Creek Reservoir.
• Expand opportunity on Steep Creek/Steep Lake by eliminating the reduced bag limit and late opening date on Steep Creek and Steep Lake and change to statewide general season and bag limit. General rules will provide adequate management in these areas. Current rule was intended to protect golden trout, an exotic species, in Steep Lake.

For additional information on these proposed changes, contact Ed Schriever, Fisheries Manager at (208) 799-5010 or eschriever@idfg.idaho.gov. Next week's column will focus on proposed changes to statewide and Clearwater Region steelhead fishing so stay tuned.

Mike Demick is the Regional Conservation Educator for the Clearwater Region.