05-02-2008, 08:22 PM
CHEYENNE - Beginning January 1, Wyoming anglers will notice several significant changes in fish regulations from those that have been in effect the past several years.
Game and Fish fisheries management coordinator Dirk Miller said major changes will include the implementation of separate trout limits on many rivers and streams from lakes and reservoirs. There will also be a separate daily limit for brook trout. Walleye and sauger will have separate creel limits and there are changes in the live baitfish regulation and spear fishing. There are also different limits and regulations affecting various species in different drainages.
Specifically, on a number of waters in the western part of the state, there will be separate trout limits for streams and rivers. For most of these waters, the limit will change to three trout. The limit on most lakes and reservoirs will not change. Miller said the changes on rivers and streams will simplify the regulations, especially on streams with special cutthroat trout regulations.
Other creel changes will be a separate daily creel limit for brook trout allowing anglers to keep 16 fish per day with only six being over eight inches. This change did not increase the limit for brook trout but was implemented to make the old bonus limit easier to understand. The bonus brook trout regulation is intended to address the stunting of brook trout in overpopulated waters, increasing the potential of producing larger fish.
According to Miller, the sauger and walleye limits were split to provide additional protection for sauger. "Sauger numbers are declining across the Missouri River drainage," Miller said. "Wyoming populations are small, but are some of the few remaining genetically pure populations in the region. Managers believe additional protection of these populations is important."
A major change involves the regulation governing the use of live baitfish. In an effort to minimize the potential of moving unwanted fish in various waters around the state, a seining license holder is not allowed to give live baitfish to other anglers except to other anglers in his or her fishing party for use when the seining license holder is present. Otherwise, persons must now either buy their minnows from a licensed bait dealer or have their own seining permit.
Other regulations affect the possession and transportation of fish. The regulation requires that any fish placed on a stringer, in a live well, or not released immediately to the water shall be considered in possession of the angler and shall be killed prior to being transported from the water of origin. Possession limit means the maximum number of game fish that may legally be in possession at any time and in any form. Game fish in transit or storage, including home or domicile, shall be considered in possession.
Ice anglers will find that 10 more waters have been included in the special winter ice fishing provision. On those waters up to six lines are allowed when fishing through the ice. Waters covered under this provision are listed on page 8 of the fishing regulations.
Spear fishing regulations have been liberalized and now allow fishing at any time of year in all standing waters except where it is specifically excluded by regulation. As in previous years, no game fish may be taken unless the underwater spear gun fisherman is completely submerged.
Watercraft regulations also had modifications, with the most significant change requiring anyone 12 years and younger to wear a life jacket when the watercraft is underway. This new language makes Wyoming consistent with U. S. Coast Guard regulations.
According to Miller, the new regulations were put in place following numerous statewide meetings last winter and spring when proposed changes were presented to the public. In July, the 2008-2009 proposed regulations were approved by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
There are many other changes that affect specific waters in the various drainages throughout the state. Anglers are encouraged to pick up a copy of the 2008-2009 fishing regulations at license vendors or Game and Fish regional offices. The regulations will also available online from the Game and Fish after the first of the year.
Game and Fish fisheries management coordinator Dirk Miller said major changes will include the implementation of separate trout limits on many rivers and streams from lakes and reservoirs. There will also be a separate daily limit for brook trout. Walleye and sauger will have separate creel limits and there are changes in the live baitfish regulation and spear fishing. There are also different limits and regulations affecting various species in different drainages.
Specifically, on a number of waters in the western part of the state, there will be separate trout limits for streams and rivers. For most of these waters, the limit will change to three trout. The limit on most lakes and reservoirs will not change. Miller said the changes on rivers and streams will simplify the regulations, especially on streams with special cutthroat trout regulations.
Other creel changes will be a separate daily creel limit for brook trout allowing anglers to keep 16 fish per day with only six being over eight inches. This change did not increase the limit for brook trout but was implemented to make the old bonus limit easier to understand. The bonus brook trout regulation is intended to address the stunting of brook trout in overpopulated waters, increasing the potential of producing larger fish.
According to Miller, the sauger and walleye limits were split to provide additional protection for sauger. "Sauger numbers are declining across the Missouri River drainage," Miller said. "Wyoming populations are small, but are some of the few remaining genetically pure populations in the region. Managers believe additional protection of these populations is important."
A major change involves the regulation governing the use of live baitfish. In an effort to minimize the potential of moving unwanted fish in various waters around the state, a seining license holder is not allowed to give live baitfish to other anglers except to other anglers in his or her fishing party for use when the seining license holder is present. Otherwise, persons must now either buy their minnows from a licensed bait dealer or have their own seining permit.
Other regulations affect the possession and transportation of fish. The regulation requires that any fish placed on a stringer, in a live well, or not released immediately to the water shall be considered in possession of the angler and shall be killed prior to being transported from the water of origin. Possession limit means the maximum number of game fish that may legally be in possession at any time and in any form. Game fish in transit or storage, including home or domicile, shall be considered in possession.
Ice anglers will find that 10 more waters have been included in the special winter ice fishing provision. On those waters up to six lines are allowed when fishing through the ice. Waters covered under this provision are listed on page 8 of the fishing regulations.
Spear fishing regulations have been liberalized and now allow fishing at any time of year in all standing waters except where it is specifically excluded by regulation. As in previous years, no game fish may be taken unless the underwater spear gun fisherman is completely submerged.
Watercraft regulations also had modifications, with the most significant change requiring anyone 12 years and younger to wear a life jacket when the watercraft is underway. This new language makes Wyoming consistent with U. S. Coast Guard regulations.
According to Miller, the new regulations were put in place following numerous statewide meetings last winter and spring when proposed changes were presented to the public. In July, the 2008-2009 proposed regulations were approved by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
There are many other changes that affect specific waters in the various drainages throughout the state. Anglers are encouraged to pick up a copy of the 2008-2009 fishing regulations at license vendors or Game and Fish regional offices. The regulations will also available online from the Game and Fish after the first of the year.