Fishing Forum

I contacted my friend Gary Hompland the RCO in the Magic Valley region. I asked him about taking bull trout out of water here is his reply. Ron



[size 4][#000000]Hi Gary. The fishing site I am on is in need of some rule clarification.[/#000000][/size]

[size 4][#000000]Here is what was sent to me. Ron[/#000000][/size]




Any chance you can clarify for me - what EXACTLY is the rule on Bull Trout? Is it illegal to lift the fish out of water AT ALL - even to remove a hook, take a measure, snap a photo?

I would think it would be more dangerous for the fish - trying to remove a hook while it's thrashing around in the water. And many folks I've spoken with seem to be of the mindset that it means you can't take them away from the water (remove) - not a brief lift out before return.


Ron, the rules on bull trout do say it is unlawful to remove from the water and must be released immediately.

From a practical standpoint the intent of this rule is not prohibit angling but enhance survival of bull trout caught incidental to other trout. I would say photo ops of the fish while holding it still in the water would be ok but to completely remove from the water would be unlawful. Again from a practical matter if it had to be removed in order to get the hook out would be iffy since the recommendation is to cut the line to reduce the probability of harm to the fish. All those things would depend on the individual situations at the time such as length of time out of water, handling, etc.

This rule is similar to sturgeon. We have been citing people lifting sturgeon out of the water for a photo op.

Thanks g
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Here is the Montana F&G site and what they do with Bull Trout.

[url "http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=41949"]http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=41949[/url]

It also has a tip on photographing them.

Too bad Idaho doesn't have similar regs.
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It's pretty obvious that Montana's Bull Trout population is in much better shape than Idaho's. I don't believe Montana lakes and streams are facing the same pressure for an ESA listing from the Feds.
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Is all I have say is that we will be Bull Trout handling experts when this is all said and done.[laugh]

Windriver
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And I think that is a good thing. I never saw the rule before this thread. I have only seen one in real life. Ron
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We see quite a few on the Salmon when steelhead fishing. They are voracious roe eaters.
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You said it Wind.

Okay, how about this:

[inline 2588b439.jpg]
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That's a sick photo flygoddess.
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Pretty fish! They have such great colors. Love them spots! Looks like a painting.

Ron - thanks for checking. We had another call into enforcement that also confirmed. I think we can 'put a fork in it - it's done'.

It was also explained that the "BACK" reference in the picture is for the sake of identification - if you happen to land one, and not realize it's a Bull.

I've attached a revised version - maybe FnG will adopt another catchy slogan!

Heya - Flygoddess - I had another go at them TigerMusky. Got surprised with the light tackle - again - fishing for perch, but THIS time I was patient, and nursed it in. Never even lifted his head out - my "big" net is too small for a beasty like this! Didn't even have to remove the hook. Whole story below.

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_...ead#unread

Next thing I know I'll get writ up for using whole perch, or live fish for bait. But I don't think it counts if it was your catch that became some other fish's lunch. But I could be wrong!
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