SALEM, Ore. – This Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Sept. 19 in Forest Grove to adopt the 2009-2012 sport fishing regulations and amend administrative rules to allow the commercial production of several species of tilapia and shrimp.

The meeting, at Pacific University, 2043 College Way UC 663, begins at 9 a.m. and proceeds through the following agenda: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/

The Commission will be asked to adopt 2009-2012 Sport Fishing Regulations. Prior to adoption, members of the public will have a final opportunity to testify in support of or opposition to the proposed changes. While the Commission could adopt over 130 changes to the current regulations, only a handful of proposals are expected to dominate questions and discussion at the meeting.

Perhaps the most disputed proposal, labeled 132P, would restrict trout angling to catch-and-release only for unmarked trout in all rivers and streams in the Northwest and Southwest Zones. It also would prohibit the use of bait while trout fishing. Currently, rivers north of the Salmon River in the Northwest Zone are restricted to catch-and-release by Zone Regulations.

Other proposals of interest would allow fishing from a boat on the Applegate River, disallow the use of bait on the upper and lower McKenzie River, and increase the harvest of bull trout on Lake Billy Chinook in order to boost kokanee populations.

At its August meeting, the Commission also removed seven proposals from the do-not-adopt category and asked for additional information on and discussion of them at the September meeting. In addition to proposal 132P and the two McKenzie River no bait proposals, other proposals would:

• Keep the fishery at Cole Rivers Hatchery on the Rogue River open until 8 p.m. from April 15 to July 31. The fishery currently closes at 7 p.m. from April 1 to July 31.
• Move the angling deadline on the Molalla River downstream to Pine Creek Bridge. It would allow the use of bait May 15- July 15, and require single barbless hooks year round for steelhead and salmon anglers. It also would restrict trout anglers to catch-and-release with the use of bait not allowed.
• Eliminate the harvest of redband trout on Agency Lake. Currently there is a one fish per day rule.
• Eliminate harvest of redband trout on Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Lower Williamson River. There are currently specific harvest seasons on the Williamson, and only one fish per day.

Public testimony on the proposed sport fishing regulations is welcome during the meeting, or in advance of the meeting. Send comments to Rhine Messmer @ rhine.t.messmer@state.or.us or ODFW.Comments@state.or.us.

The Commission will be asked to appoint a member to the Fish Screening Task Force, a group of representatives from agricultural, fisheries and public interests that advises ODFW staff on fish screening policies and issues.

The Commission will be asked to make permanent a temporary rule to reclassify tilapia (two species and their hybrids), giant river prawns and whiteleg shrimp as controlled species under the Wildlife Integrity Rules (OAR 635-056) and, in a house keeping action, approve changes to rule language regarding the taxonomic nomenclature of fish and crustacean species.

The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.

Public testimony will be held Friday morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

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