FISHING– The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department is taking comment statewide on proposed changes to sportfishing regulations.

A public meeting has been scheduled Thursday (Oct. 27), from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., in the agency’s Spokane Region Office, 2315 N. Discovery Pl. in Spokane Valley.

Current proposals related to Eastern Washington include:

• Allowing anglers to fish with two poles on the Pend Oreille River and the lower Spokane River.
• Removing northern pike from the state’s list of gamefish to allow more liberal management of their populations.
• Changing the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season from the last Saturday in April to the fourth Saturday in April.

All of the proposed rules, which would affect various freshwater and saltwater fisheries around the state, are available on the agency’s website.

During the meetings, the public can discuss the proposals with WDFW staff. Written comments are due Dec. 30.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will take more comments on proposals during its Jan. 6-7 meeting.

Check the commission’s website for the specific day and time.

The commission, which sets policy for WDFW, is scheduled to vote on the final sportfishing rules package Feb. 3 or 4. Adopted rules would go into effect in May 2012.