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Show Year-Round Fishing To Open In Utah Beginning in 1985 In an unprecedented decision, the Utah Wildlife Board adopted year-round fishing for 1985. The five-member citizen board voted unanimously to adopt new regulations proposed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, including opening most Utah waters to fishing year round. Year-round Ashing will greatly increase fishing opportunities for Utahns while dispersing Ashing pressure throughout the year, In addition, Utah fisheries managers are preparing an entirely new format for the fishing regulations. The 1985 Fishing Proclrmation will be in newspaper tabloid format with a map, general regulations and specific area regulations on special waters. An 4 individual will simply check the general regulations, then refer to the area section where their favorite Ashing water is located, to determine if any special seasons or limits apply. The new regulations keep the eight trout bag limit year round with tome exceptions. In northern Utah (Cache, Weber, Morgan and Davis counties) the winter limit on rivers and streams will be four trout; limits on lakes and reservoirs will remain at eight. Salt Lake area rivers and streams will have a two trout limit during the winter. These reduced winter limits are necessary on the low elevation streams that generally have good (Continued on Page 7) Year-Round Fishing ... (Continued from Page t) access and high fishing pressure. Elsewhere in the state, limits will not vary from summer to winter. Board member Jerry Little remarked, "Winter fishing should provide a season of sport, not one of harvest. It's a recreational experience rather than simply filling the freezer.." On controversial issue dominated discussions of the Board and citizens attending the meeting: the Green River below Flaming Gorge. The board heard comments from the public at two public meetings in September, during a comment period in October and at today's meeting. Dr. Hugh Hogle, Board member from Salt Lake City, proposed to adopt the DWR recommendation saying, "We are violating the public trust If we deviate from the proposed regulations (his late in the decision process." Fishing on the Green River will be permitted year round with artificial lures and flies only. The bag limit will be two trout under 13 Inches and one over 20. A major concern addressed by the board centers around the proposed license fee increase and year-round fishing. Bill Geer, acting director of the Division of Wildlife Resources, said that fisheries management activities will not be changed for the -first year. He added that year-round fishing will have to be evaluated next fall if the DWR is not granted a fee increase. Wildlife Board Chairman Warren Harward summarized the concern for funding. "I hope that you sportsman here take the time to talk to your legislators regarding this license increase." The Utah Legislature will determine license fees when it meets in January. |