Power Boats For Anglers Banned Along Clearwater River

Fishermen will have to stop using powered boats along the Clearwater River on and after Sept. 15.

The Idaho Fish and Game Department said that anglers may not use motorized watercraft while fishing for steelhead, trout or any other species above Orofino. Drift boats and other non-motorized craft will be allowed.

The regulation is in keeping with the department’s policy of providing a varied fishing experience on the popular stream.

Zone bans hounds, bait

Hounds and bait can’t be used in the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery zone during the black bear season, said Steve Pozzanghera, black bear management supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Department.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission closed the area to the use of bait and hounds to hunt black bear after a federal judge ruled that the hunting practices could violate the federal Endangered Species Act by harming the small number of grizzlies that are in the zone.

The zone encompasses federal land in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Wenatchee and Okanogan national forests north of I-90 and west of Highway 97.

Sockeye to be released

Twenty adult sockeye salmon were scheduled to be released into Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho, Tuesday, the Idaho Fish and Game Department said.

Biologists hope the 5-pound salmon will become acclimated to the lake and spawn next month.

Snake River sockeyes were listed as endangered by the National Marine Fisheries service five years ago. Only a few of the rare fish have returned to Redfish Lake in recent years.

Trapper training set

First-time trappers required to take trapper training can register for a class to be held Sept. 24 at the Spokane regional office of the Fish and Wildlife Department, N8702 Division. Pre-registration can be made by calling 1-509-456-4082.

The course covers instruction in safe, humane and proper trapping techniques, trapping seasons and laws and furbearing mammal management.

, DataTimes