05-09-2005, 09:50 PM
CONCORD, N.H. -- Freshwater anglers and people who use Fish and Game wildlife management areas should note that the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing regarding proposed rule changes to take effect in 2006 on Wednesday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m., at Fish and Game headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord.
Proposed changes for 2006 to the inland fisheries rules would:
* change the fisheries management for Carroll Stream in Carroll/Whitefield to wild trout regulations;
* eliminate the 15-inch length limit for brook trout on the Newfound River between West Shore Road to the dam at Crescent Street;
* on Big Dan Hole Pond, increase the daily limit for trout and salmon and eliminate the 15-inch minimum length for trout;
* allow for 3 lines to be used ice-fishing on lake trout and salmon waters; only 2 may be tip-ups (currently only 2 lines are allowed).
* require all bobhouses used for ice fishing to be marked with reflective material;
* propose a daily bag limit of 25 fish for yellow perch, white perch, horned pout, and sunfish (currently no limits are set for these species);
* close the area for fishing for 500 feet around certain tributaries on lake trout and salmon waters October 1 to December 31; and
* remove the requirement for anglers under 16 years of age to obtain an Atlantic salmon permit for the Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers.
The complete fishing rulemaking notice form, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Fish_Rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Fish_Rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
Another proposed rule would affect people who use Fish and Game wildlife management areas. Fish and Game proposes to update the current list of wildlife management areas (WMA); prohibit paintball activities on these lands; establish a 45-mph OHRV speed limit on these lands; and clarify rules relative to the Owl Book Hunter Conservation Center and surrounding WMA. The complete rulemaking notice for this proposal may be found at the Fish and Game website at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/WMA_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/WMA_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
A third proposal to be covered at the hearing affects people who fish interstate freshwaters along New Hampshire's borders. These rules do not change anything for this year, but simply keep the current rules effective until they are readopted with amendments in the Fishing Rule proposal. The complete interstate rulemaking readoption notice may be found at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Interstate_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Interstate_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by May 31, 2005. To send comments: e-mail to [url "mailto:comments@wildlife.state.nh.us"]comments@wildlife.state.nh.us[/url] (specify "Comments on Fishing Rules" or "Comments on Wildlife Management Areas" in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
[signature]
Proposed changes for 2006 to the inland fisheries rules would:
* change the fisheries management for Carroll Stream in Carroll/Whitefield to wild trout regulations;
* eliminate the 15-inch length limit for brook trout on the Newfound River between West Shore Road to the dam at Crescent Street;
* on Big Dan Hole Pond, increase the daily limit for trout and salmon and eliminate the 15-inch minimum length for trout;
* allow for 3 lines to be used ice-fishing on lake trout and salmon waters; only 2 may be tip-ups (currently only 2 lines are allowed).
* require all bobhouses used for ice fishing to be marked with reflective material;
* propose a daily bag limit of 25 fish for yellow perch, white perch, horned pout, and sunfish (currently no limits are set for these species);
* close the area for fishing for 500 feet around certain tributaries on lake trout and salmon waters October 1 to December 31; and
* remove the requirement for anglers under 16 years of age to obtain an Atlantic salmon permit for the Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers.
The complete fishing rulemaking notice form, with original and proposed rule language, may be found at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Fish_Rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Fish_Rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
Another proposed rule would affect people who use Fish and Game wildlife management areas. Fish and Game proposes to update the current list of wildlife management areas (WMA); prohibit paintball activities on these lands; establish a 45-mph OHRV speed limit on these lands; and clarify rules relative to the Owl Book Hunter Conservation Center and surrounding WMA. The complete rulemaking notice for this proposal may be found at the Fish and Game website at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/WMA_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/WMA_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
A third proposal to be covered at the hearing affects people who fish interstate freshwaters along New Hampshire's borders. These rules do not change anything for this year, but simply keep the current rules effective until they are readopted with amendments in the Fishing Rule proposal. The complete interstate rulemaking readoption notice may be found at [url "http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Interstate_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc"]http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Legislative/NOTICES/Interstate_rules_NOTICE_0505.doc[/url].
Written comments on the proposed changes may be submitted by May 31, 2005. To send comments: e-mail to [url "mailto:comments@wildlife.state.nh.us"]comments@wildlife.state.nh.us[/url] (specify "Comments on Fishing Rules" or "Comments on Wildlife Management Areas" in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
[signature]