Northwest Indiana Discussion

Public hearings on fisheries rule proposals
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The Department of Natural Resources has scheduled two public hearings
to receive comments on proposed Indiana fisheries administrative rule
changes. The hearings will be held on:

- Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. (EST) at the DNR's Northeast Regional
Office in Columbia City, 1353 S. Governors Drive.

- Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. (EST) at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area
near Edinburgh, 7970 S. Rowe Street. Map at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/att.htm

The DNR is proposing several rule changes to help protect fisheries
resources while addressing enforcement, legal and social concerns. Several
important proposed changes concern:

- BASS

A 20-inch minimum size limit and one-fish daily bag limit on black bass
(smallmouth, largemouth, spotted) is proposed for Sugar Creek in west
central Indiana.

A protected 12 to 15-inch slot size limit on black bass is proposed at
the Blue River in southern Indiana where bass smaller than 12 inches
and longer than 15 inches would be able to be taken, but only two of the
five bass daily bag limit may be larger than 15 inches.

- TROUT

The former closed season for inland stream trout fishing would be
changed to a "catch and release only" season from Jan. 1 through April 14.
A proposed closed trout season on inland streams would run from April
15 to the last Saturday in April (opening day) during which the
hatcheries complete the annual trout stockings.

Opening day for stream trout season would still be the last Saturday in
April. However, the starting time would be changed from 5 to 6 a.m.
local time to adjust to daylight savings time.

A brown trout bag limit of one fish (out of the daily limit of five
trout) would apply at inland lakes and streams statewide, but would not
apply to Lake Michigan and its tributaries.

Three stream segments in Elkhart County (totaling 2.8 miles) are
proposed to be "catch and release only" and "artificial baits or flies only"
trout fishing areas.

- BOWFISHING

Bowfishing would be allowed day or night for certain fish species at
eight large stream reaches where gigging and spearing is already
permitted.

- SHOVELNOSE STURGEON

Shovelnose sturgeon would be required to be at least 25 inches long
from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail in order to be taken by
either sport or commercial fishermen. A commercial fishing open season
would be defined as Oct. 1 through May 31 on public waters other than
the Ohio River.

- J.C. MURPHEY LAKE

Existing experimental rules for largemouth bass and panfish would
become permanent at this popular fishing lake at Willow Slough Fish and
Wildlife Area in Newton County. Bass are regulated by an 18-inch minimum
size limit (and two fish daily bag limit) and there is a combined 25 fish
daily bag limit for bluegill, redear and crappie.

Rule changes preliminarily adopted by the Natural Resources Commission
are available online at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/about/

Click on "2006 Fisheries Administrative Rule Changes.

Public comments can be sent by e-mail or written letter, or voiced at
the public hearing.

Written comments can be sent to:
Hearing Officer
Natural Resources Commission
402 W. Washington Street, W272
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Or send comments via email to:
jkane@nrc.in.gov

Written comments must be received no later than Dec. 21.

A copy of the public hearing report will be available at www.IN.gov/nrc
prior to final consideration by the Natural Resources Commission. The
NRC will likely consider rules for final adoption in January. If
approved by the attorney general and governor, the changes will become
effective in 2007.

Individuals who need reasonable modifications for effective
participation in public meetings should call the DNR ADA coordinator at (317)
232-4200 (voice and TDD).


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Media contact,
Bill James,
Chief of Fisheries,
317-232-4092
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