FISHING -- Over the next few months, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be collecting public input and ideas for fishing rules that will be in effect from 2016 – 2018 and also asking where anglers need new or better access facilities. 

The first round of meetings starts this week.

Fisheries staffers around the state will hold a series of meetings and open houses to visit with sportsmen and document their ideas for fishing rules for the next three-year period. The ideas will be evaluated before formal rule change proposals are made later this spring. 

After the Fish and Game Commission reviews the proposals in May, there will be another round of public input before the rules are finalized in November.  The new rules would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

Fish and Game officials are addressing several specific issues including:

• Fish possession limits.  Currently, in most Idaho waters anglers can only possess a single day’s limit of fish while in the field regardless of how many days they spend on a fishing trip.  This limits the opportunity to harvest fish for those on an extended trip.  Some anglers have asked for possession limits that would allow two or more daily bag limits.
• Locations where more or better boating and fishing access is needed in Idaho.  The Department currently maintains over 320 fishing access areas across the state at a cost of nearly $2 million per year.

An opportunity to comment online will soon be available on the Fish and Game website.

Get the scoop at the following public meetings or call the regional fisheries managers:

Panhandle – Jim Fredericks, Regional Fish Manager 208-769-1414

• Coeur d’Alene:  February 17, Lake City Center Sportsman’s Breakfast,  6:30 am
• Coeur d’Alene:  February 17, Regional Office 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., 8 am to 5 pm (open house)
• Sandpoint:  February 19, Annual State-of-the-Lake Meeting, Ponderay Events Center, 7 – 9 pm

Clearwater – Joe DuPont, Regional Fish Manager 208-799-5010

• Orofino: February 19, IDFG Clearwater Hatchery, 118 Hatchery Roe Drive (located northwest of Ahsahka Bridge), 6 pm
• Riggins:  February 23, Salmon Rapids Lodge, 1010 S. Main Street, 6  pm MT
• Lewiston: February 25, Regional Office, 3316 16^th Street,  6 pm (open house)
• Moscow:  February 26, Fairground Exhibit Building, 1021 Harold Street,  6 pm