nice post.
great pics. you have a good eye for the camera shot.
i don’t get out as much as i would like, so i lurk here and get my outdoors fix through you guys. posts like yours take me there.
Seems like i remember back in the 60’s reading “Field & Stream” & such, those “Bulls” and “Dolly’s” were considered pretty much a “trash fish”… they get endangered, and my how things change.
I did get a response from Idaho’s fish-n-game. Had missed it earlier. I guess the interpretation of the regs has changed, and tightened. But word is the message will change in next year’s publication.
Main goal remains the same, enjoy a great sportfish, but protect the resource, and get them safely released.
From: Parrish,David
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 9:35 PM
To: IDFGINFO
Subject: RE: Bull Trout handling
When the wording in our current Fishing Rules was
written 3 years ago, the intent was for people to
minimize the amount of time bull trout are removed
from the water when caught. Since that time, some
enforcement officers have literally accepted the
wording as it’s illegal to remove the fish from
the water for any reason.
The new fishing rules for 2011 - 2012 will no longer
say “bull trout may not be removed from the water.”
It will however, say that “bull trout should be
handled carefully” and “should be released as soon
as possible after landing.”
To be on the “safe-side” for the rest of 2010
avoid removing bull trout from the water - if at
all possible. Next year, you will have a little
more leeway to remove the fish momentarily for a
picture and to remove the hook.
Thanks for the question and good luck fishing.
Dave Parrish
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game
Resident Fisheries Program Coordinator
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 3:48 PM
To: IDFGINFO
Subject: Bull Trout handling
This message was sent from the IDFG website.
Read up on the protected bull trout, and a
question has arisen. Where the fishing regs say
“bull trout may not be removed from the water” -
is that to say you can’t lift them out to remove
a hook, maybe snap a quick photo before carefully
reviving and releasing them?
The regs on Sturgeon are very specific about this,
but I was thinking in the case of Bulls - I
thought “removing” meant on a permanent, or even
temporary (eg live well) basis wasn’t ok. But
just to get them unhooked, then released - is it
illegal to LIFT them out of the water?
A response clarifying would be very welcome.
Thank you.