BOB HARRIS
------------------------------
Outdoors and Free
Volume 1, Issue 37

Hearing Set for Proposed 2008 Freshwater Fishing Rules
By BOB HARRIS
Outdoors and Free
Friday, July 20, 2007

I have learned the importance of attending Fish and Game Commission meetings when they are open to the public. Here is an opportunity to have a say in agendas of importance, especially when new rules and regulations are being proposed. Fresh water anglers should take note that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will be holding a public hearing on proposed changes in the regulations affecting 2008 freshwater fishing in the state. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, in Concord. The Department is proposing the following changes to the fishing rules for 2008:
  1. Add definitions for a "cast of artificial flies" and "Man-made opening" (the latter refers to ice-fishing).
  2. Prohibit the branching of a line for taking fish and the use of a gaff to take fish from freshwater.
  3. Allow cusk fishing devices to be used only on waters where cusk can be found.
  4. Change the daily limit for brook trout in Dublin Lake, Dublin, from 3 fish to 3 fish or 5 pounds of fish, which ever limit is reached first.
  5. Reduce the minimum size limit for lake trout in South Pond, in Stark, from 18 inches to 15 inches.
  6. Allow a single barbed hook on artificial lures in all waters managed for "delayed harvest" which includes portions of the Cocheco River, Lamprey River and South Branch Piscataquog River.
  7. Implement catch-and-release regulations on a portion of the Diamond River.
  8. Make changes in the New Hampshire/Maine interstate water fishing rules as follows:
    a)  Change boundary descriptions for Horn Pond and the Salmon Falls River.
    b)  Change the ice-fishing season to January 1 through March 31.
    c)  Change the closing time for taking smelt at night from 10 p.m. to midnight.
    d)  Change the open-water fishing season in the Salmon Falls River to January 1 through December 31.
    e)  Change the area of Lake Umbagog that is closed to ice-fishing.


 


Trout fishing on Lake Winnepesaukee

Another proposed rule that will be discussed at the hearing would allow the Department to adopt previously effective rules that have expired and to readopt, with no changes, those that will be expiring at various times in 2008. These rules affect persons taking bait, bait dealers and persons participating in the trophy and state record fish programs. This item does not propose any changes to what is in current rule or had previously existed in rule.

The complete fishing rule-making notice forms, with the original and proposed rule language, may be found at: www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/Notices_summary.htm. Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by August 3, 2007. Send comments via e-mail to: comments@wildlife.nh.gov.  In the subject line of your e-mail, specify "Comments On Fishing Rules". You can also mail your comments to:  Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301. For those who prefer faxing, Fish and Game’s fax number is: (603) 271-1438.

All in all, however, attending the hearing is a positive, offering a chance to speak out on the subjects at hand directly to the Fish and Game Commissioners and the Director. Hope to see you there.

 




Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

Past Columns  >>>
>
Bob Harris 07-13-07:  Good fishing luck only comes to those who believe
> Bob Harris 07-06-07:  Hunters have a chance to take an additional antlerless deer in WMU "M"
> Bob Harris 06-29-07:  Courtesy is a MUST at the boat launch
> Bob Harris 06-22-07:  What’s happening in New Jersey could happen in New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 06-15-07:  Check Your Watercraft Thoroughly Before Launching
> Bob Harris 06-08-07:  The HSUS Isn’t What You Think It Is
> Bob Harris 06-01-07:  River bass are powerful
> Bob Harris 05-25-07:  A website for outdoors women
>
Bob Harris 05-18-07:  Vicious attack by a butterfly
> Bob Harris 05-11-07:  The Mini-Tandem Streamer
> Bob Harris 05-04-07:  Tandem Streamers - The Size Counts
> Bob Harris 04-27-07:  Come Have Fun at N. H. Fish and Game’s All-Fish Exposition
> Bob Harris 04-20-07:  Trout ponds open April 28th
> Bob Harris 04-13-07:  Come and enjoy "Discover Wild New Hampshire Day"
> Bob Harris 04-06-07:  It's time to enjoy landlocked salmon fishing
> Bob Harris 03-30-07:  New Hampshire Fish and Game Executive Director Will Be Missed
> Bob Harris 03-23-07:  Turkey hunting seminar April 14th
> Bob Harris 03-16-07:  The most sweeping gun ban ever introduced in Congress
> Bob Harris 03-09-07:  A backdoor assault on our right-to-carry in New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 03-02-07:  A call to action on Fish & Game funding
> Bob Harris 02-23-07:  Come Enjoy the 5th Annual Fly-Fish New Hampshire Show
> Bob Harris 02-16-07:  Snowshoe Hare Hunting Workshop Offered by N.N Fish and Game Department 
> Bob Harris 02-09-07:  Need to ride snowmobiles responsibly and safely
> Bob Harris 02-02-07:  The joys of wildlife watching and photography
> Bob Harris 01-26-07:  Many New Hampshire waters are open for fishing year-round
> Bob Harris 01-19-07:  Tell Governor John Lynch you care about Fish and Game funding
> Bob Harris 01-12-07:  Come and Enjoy the 31st Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition
> Bob Harris 01-05-07:  Fox television joins movement to ban trapping
> Bob Harris 12-29-06:  A successful year for deer hunters
> Bob Harris 12-22-06:  Marine fisheries law enforcement activities increased in 2006
> Bob Harris 12-15-06:  December - a beautiful time for pheasant hunting
> Bob Harris 12-08-06:  The ice will be coming.  Be ready, be safe.
> Bob Harris 12-01-06:  Let's all help support the NH Fish & Game department
> Bob Harris 11-24-06:  The bear facts
> Bob Harris 11-17-06:  Become a volunteer ice fishing instructor
> Bob Harris 11-10-06:  Take a kid hunting this fall




> About Bob Harris

 


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