Still time to comment on fishing rule changes

The deadline to comment on proposed changes in fishing rule changes for the 2012-13 sport-fishing season is Dec. 30.

The public also has the chance to provide testimony, as well as written comments, on the proposals during the state Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Jan. 6-7 meeting.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the final sport-fishing rules package during a meeting Feb. 3-4.

Among the proposals, developed by staffers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, are:

• 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 include the Green and Puyallup river systems.

• 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.

Any approved changes will take effect May 2012.

Get involved

Proposals

The proposed rule changes can be seen at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals. Printed copies of the proposals are available by contacting the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Program at 360-902-2700.

To comment

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will accept written public comments through Dec. 30. Comments can be submitted to WDFW Rules Coordinator Lori Preuss at Lori.Preuss@dfw.wa.gov or 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501.