As they prepare rule proposals for the 2012-13 sportfishing season, staffers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife have scheduled four public meetings to discuss potential rule changes.
During the meetings, the public can discuss the proposals with staff and submit written comments.
The public also will have an opportunity to provide testimony, as well as written comments, on the proposed rule changes during the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Jan. 6-7 meeting.
The commission, which sets policy for the department, is scheduled to vote on the final sportfishing rules package during a meeting Feb. 3-4.
Among the sportfishing rules currently under consideration:
• Closing fishing early for steelhead and other game fish in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. The early closures, ranging from mid-January to mid-February, would apply to the Nooksack, Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Green and Puyallup river systems, along with several streams along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The proposal also includes closing the upper section of the Samish River on Dec. 1 and the lower section Jan. 1 to fishing for all species.
• Changing the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season from the last Saturday in April to the fourth Saturday in April. For three of the next seven years, there will be five Saturdays in April. This proposal would open fishing one weekend earlier in years where there is a fifth Saturday in April.
• Open some Puget Sound streams to fishing for game fish that were inadvertently closed as part of the Puget Sound Stream Strategy. In the South Sound, the streams are Clarks Creek, from the mouth to 12th Avenue Southeast (First Saturday in June-Aug. 15: two trout over 14 inches, selective gear rules); and Hylebos Creek (First Saturday in June-Oct. 31, two trout over 14 inches, selective gear rules). These waters are either above anadromous barriers or are areas where there are no concerns for juvenile anadromous salmonids. This will provide increased recreational opportunity for trout and other game fish.
Because of continued budget and staffing cuts, department managers have limited the scope of rules that will take effect May 2012. This also complies with the governor’s executive order that suspends critical rule development and adoption through Dec. 31, said a news release. As a result, the department is not soliciting rules from the public this year and is limiting rule making to rules that meet the following criteria:
• Rules addressing a critical conservation need.
• Finalize permanent rule making for emergency rules.
• Significant recreational opportunities that generate revenue.
GET INVOLVED
Proposals
The proposed rules are available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals. Printed copies are available at 360-902-2700.
Meetings
The public meetings will run from 6-8 p.m.
Monday: Rotary Log Pavilion, 409 South Monroe, Aberdeen.
Tuesday: WDFW Mill Creek Office, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek.
Wednesday: Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E, Olympia.
Thursday: WDFW Spokane Office, 2315 North Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.
