Idaho Fish and Game seeks comment on fishing rule proposals

FISHING — Idaho anglers have until April 18 to comment in the first round of discussions on fishing rule changes proposed for 2012.

Fish and Game is considering changing the rule that requires anglers transporting hatchery-produced salmon or steelhead to keep the carcass whole, with the head and tail attached. The change would allow anglers to filet a hatchery produced steelhead or salmon, already recorded on the salmon/steelhead permit, as long as one of the filets has the skin attached where the adipose fin is located to verify its origin.

Other items Fish and Game will be reviewing include:

• The definition of a “fishing contest.”
• Allowing the use of a gaff hook for landing nongame fish species taken with archery equipment.
• Allowing the use of archery equipment and spear guns to harvest game fish with unlimited bag limits.

Comments may be provided by calling regional fish managers at local regional offices or by e-mailing idfginfo@idaho.gov .

Rules changed through this process must be approved by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and the state Legislature.