DAR File No. 38483

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-13

Taking Fish and Crayfish

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 38483
Filed: 05/06/2014 10:59:53 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources' (DWR) fish and crayfish management program.

Summary of the rule or change:

This rule revision removes the second pole permit requirement and instead allows the use of two poles to be included with a resident or nonresident season fishing or combination license beginning 07/01/2014.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-19
• Section 23-14-18

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment allows Utah license holders to fish all lakes with two poles without a second pole permit with no additional licenses required. DWR determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or DWR's budget, since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

local governments:

Since this amendment only adds opportunity to anglers this should have little to no effect on the local government. This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by the rule. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

This amendment provides additional opportunity to anglers, therefore, this rule does not impose any additional financial requirements on small businesses, nor generate a cost or saving impact to small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This amendment provides additional opportunity to anglers, therefore, this rule does not impose any additional financial requirements on persons, nor generate a cost or saving impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to individuals who participate in fishing in Utah.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The amendments to this rule do not create an impact on businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at stacicoons@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/01/2014

This rule may become effective on:

07/08/2014

Authorized by:

Gregory Sheehan, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-13. Taking Fish and Crayfish.

R657-13-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19 of the Utah Code, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking fish and crayfish.

(2) Specific dates, areas, methods of take, requirements and other administrative details which may change annually and are pertinent are published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking fish and crayfish.

R657-13-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23-13-2.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Aggregate" means the combined total of two or more species of fish or two or more size classes of fish which are covered by a limit distinction.

(b) "Angling" means fishing with a rod, pole, tipup, handline, or trollboard that has a single line with legal hooks, baits, or lures attached to it, and is held in the hands of, or within sight (not to exceed 100 feet) of, the person fishing.

(c)(i) "Artificial fly" means a fly made by the method known as fly tying.

(ii) "Artificial fly" does not mean a weighted jig, lure, spinner, attractor blade, or bait.

(d) "Artificial lure" means a device made of rubber, wood, metal, glass, fiber, feathers, hair, or plastic with a hook or hooks attached. Artificial lures, including artificial flies, do not include fish eggs or other chemically treated or processed natural baits or any natural or human-made food, or any lures that have been treated with a natural or artificial fish attractant or feeding stimulant.

(e) "Daily limit" means the maximum limit, in number or amount, of protected aquatic wildlife that one person may legally take during one day.

(f) "Bait" means a digestible substance, including worms, cheese, salmon eggs, marshmallows, or manufactured baits including human-made items that are chemically treated with food stuffs, chemical fish attractants or feeding stimulants.

(g) "Camp" means, for the purposes of this rule, any place providing temporary overnight accommodation for anglers including a camper, campground, tent, trailer, cabin, houseboat, boat, or hotel.

(h) "Chumming" means dislodging or depositing in the water any substance not attached to a hook, line, or trap, which may attract fish.

(i) "Commercially prepared and chemically treated baitfish" means any fish species or fish parts which have been processed using a chemical or physical preservation technique other than freezing including irradiation, salting, cooking, or oiling and are marketed, sold or traded for financial gain as bait.

(j) "Dipnet" means a small bag net with a handle that is used to scoop fish or crayfish from the water.

(k) "Filleting" means the processing of fish for human consumption typically done by cutting away flesh from bones, skin, and body.

(l) "Fishing contest" means any organized event or gathering where anglers are awarded prizes, points or money for their catch.

(m) "Float tube" means an inflatable floating device less than 48 inches in any dimension, capable of supporting one person.

(n) "Free Shafting" means to release a pointed shaft that is not tethered or attached by physical means to the diver in an attempt to take fish while engaged in underwater spearfishing.

(o) "Gaff" means a spear or hook, with or without a handle, used for holding or lifting fish.

(p) "Game fish" means Bonneville cisco; bluegill; bullhead; channel catfish; crappie; green sunfish; largemouth bass; northern pike; Sacramento perch; smallmouth bass; striped bass, trout (rainbow, albino, cutthroat, brown, golden, brook, lake/mackinaw, kokanee salmon, and grayling or any hybrid of the foregoing); tiger muskellunge; walleye; white bass; whitefish; wiper; and yellow perch.

(q) "Handline" means a piece of line held in the hand and not attached to a pole used for taking fish or crayfish.

(r) "Immediately Released" means that the fish should be quickly unhooked and released back into the water where caught. Fish that must be immediately released cannot be held on a stringer, or in a live well or any other container or restraining device.

(s) "Lake" means the standing water level existing at any time within a lake basin. Unless posted otherwise, a stream flowing inside or within the high water mark is not considered part of the lake.

(t) "Length measurement" means the greatest length between the tip of the head or snout and the tip of the caudal (tail) fin when the fin rays are squeezed together. Measurement is taken in a straight line and not over the curve of the body.

(u) "Liftnet" means a small net that is drawn vertically through the water column to take fish or crayfish.

(v) "Motor" means an electric or internal combustion engine.

(w) "Nongame fish" means species of fish not listed as game fish.

(x) "Possession limit" means, for purposes of this rule only, two daily limits, including fish at home, in a cooler, camper, tent, freezer, livewell or any other place of storage.

(y) "Protected aquatic wildlife" means, for purposes of this rule only, all species of fish, crustaceans, or amphibians.

(z) "Reservoir" means the standing water level existing at any time within a reservoir basin. Unless posted otherwise, a stream flowing inside or within the high water mark is not considered part of the reservoir.

(aa[) "Second pole" means fishing with one additional rod, pole, tipup, handline, or trollboard that has a single line with legal hooks, bait, or lures attached to it and is held in the hands of, or within sight of the person fishing.

(bb]) "Seine" means a small mesh net with a weighted line on the bottom and float line on the top that is drawn through the water. This type of net is used to enclose fish when its ends are brought together.

([cc]bb) "Setline" means a line anchored to a non-moving object and not attached to a fishing pole.

([dd]cc) "Single hook" means a hook or multiple hooks having a common shank.

([ee]dd) "Snagging" or "gaffing" means to take a fish in a manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily into its mouth.

([ff]ee) "Spear" means a long-shafted, sharply pointed, hand held instrument with or without barbs used to spear fish from above the surface of the water.

([gg]ff) "Tributary" means a stream flowing into a larger stream, lake, or reservoir.

([hh]gg)(i) "Trout" means species of the family Salmonidae, including rainbow, albino, cutthroat, brown, golden, brook, tiger, lake (mackinaw), splake, kokanee salmon, and grayling or any hybrid of the foregoing.

(ii) "Trout" does not include whitefish or Bonneville cisco.

(ii) "Underwater spearfishing" means fishing by a person swimming, snorkeling, or diving and using a mechanical device held in the hand, which uses a rubber band, spring, pneumatic power, or other device to propel a pointed shaft to take fish from under the surface of the water.

R657-13-5. Interstate Waters And Reciprocal Fishing Permits.

(1) Bear Lake

(a) The holder of a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license may fish within[ both the Utah and Idaho boundaries of] Bear Lake [with one fishing pole. With the purchase of a valid Utah fishing or combination license and a Utah second pole permit, or a valid Idaho fishing or combination license and an Idaho two-pole permit, an angler]as follows:

(i) an individual may fish with up to two poles [anywhere ]on the Utah portion of Bear Lake[ that is open to fishing. A second pole or two-pole permit must be purchased from the state of original license purchase.]; and

(ii) an individual must comply with Idaho regulations regarding fishing with more than one pole when fishing on the Idaho portion of Bear Lake.

(b) Only one daily limit may be taken in a single day even if licensed in both states.

(2) Reciprocal Fishing Permits

(a) The purchase of a reciprocal fishing permit allows a person to fish across state boundaries of interstate waters.

(b) Reciprocal fishing permits are offered for Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge Reservoir (See Subsections (3) and (4)[.]).

(c) Utah residents may obtain reciprocal fishing permits by contacting the state of Arizona for Lake Powell and the state of Wyoming for Flaming Gorge.

(d) Nonresidents may obtain reciprocal fishing permits through the division's web site, from online license agents and division offices.

(e) The reciprocal fishing permit must be:

(i) used in conjunction with a valid unexpired fishing or combination license from a reciprocating state; and

(ii) signed by the holder as the holder's name appears on the valid unexpired fishing or combination license from the reciprocating state.

(f) Reciprocal fishing permits are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

(g) Anglers are subject to the laws and rules of the state in which they are fishing.

(h) Only one daily limit may be taken in a single day even if licensed in both states.

(3) Lake Powell Reservoir

(a) Any person qualifying as an Arizona resident and having in their possession a valid resident Arizona fishing license and a Utah reciprocal fishing permit for Lake Powell can fish within the Utah boundaries of Lake Powell.

(b) Any person who is not a resident of Utah or Arizona must purchase the appropriate nonresident licenses for Utah and Arizona to fish both sides of Lake Powell.

(c) Any person possessing a valid Utah fishing license is permitted to fish anywhere on Lake Powell, including the Arizona portion of the reservoir.

(d) A person possessing a valid Arizona fishing license shall be required to purchase a valid Utah reciprocal permit to fish the Utah waters of Lake Powell.

(4) Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Any person possessing a valid Wyoming fishing license and a Utah reciprocal fishing permit for Flaming Gorge is permitted to fish within the Utah waters of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

R657-13-6. Angling.

(1) While angling, the angler shall be within sight (not to exceed 100 feet) of the equipment being used at all times, except setlines.

(2) Angling with more than [one line]two lines is unlawful, except:

(a) [when using a valid second pole permit in conjunction with an unexpired Utah fishing or combination license;]while fishing for crayfish without the use of fish hooks as provided in R657-13-15; or

(b) while fishing [for crayfish without the use of fish hooks;]through the ice at Flaming Gorge Reservoir as provided in R657-13-7.

[(c) while fishing through the ice at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. A second pole permit is not required when fishing through the ice at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, or when fishing for crayfish with lines without hooks.

](3) No artificial lure may have more than three hooks.

(4) No line may have attached to it more than three baited hooks, three artificial flies, or three artificial lures, except for a setline.

(5) When angling through the ice, the hole may not exceed 12 inches across at the widest point, except at Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and Fish Lake where specific limitations apply.

R657-13-7. Fishing With More than One Pole[ (Second Pole Permits)].

(1) A person may use [a second pole]up to two fishing poles to take fish on all waters open to fishing ,provided they [have]possess an unexpired fishing or combination license[ and a valid second pole permit], except as provided in Subsection ([5]2) below.

(2[)(a) A second pole permit may be obtained through the division's web site, from license agents and division offices.

(b)(i) A second pole permit is a 365 day permit valid only when used in conjunction with an unexpired Utah fishing or combination license.

(ii) A second pole permit does not allow an angler to take more than one daily limit or to possess more than one possession limit.

(3) Anglers under 12 years of age must purchase a valid fishing or combination license and second pole permit in order to use a second pole.

(4) A second pole permit shall only be used by the person to whom the second pole permit was issued.

(5]) A person may use up to six lines [without a second pole permit] when fishing at Flaming Gorge Reservoir through the ice. When using more than [two lines]one line at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the angler's name shall be attached to each line, pole, or tip-up, and the angler shall check only their lines.

(3) Regardless of the number of poles or lines used, an angler may not take more than one daily limit or possess more than one possession limit.

(4) When fishing on waters located within another state, a person must abide by that state's regulations regarding fishing with more than one pole.

R657-13-8. Setline Fishing.

(1) A person may use a setline to take fish only in the Bear River proper downstream from the Idaho state line, including Cutler Reservoir and outlet canals; Little Bear River below Valley View Highway (SR-30); Malad River; and Utah Lake.

(2)[(a) Angling with one pole is permitted while setline fishing, except as provided in Subsection (b).

(b)] A person [who obtains a second pole permit may fish with]may use up to two [poles]lines for angling while setline fishing.

(3) No more than one setline per angler may be used and it may not contain more than 15 hooks.

(4)(a) A setline permit may be obtained through the division's web site, from license agents and division offices.

(b) A setline permit is required in addition to any valid Utah fishing or combination license.

(c) A setline permit is a 365 day permit valid only when used in conjunction with any unexpired Utah fishing or combination license.

(5) When fishing with a setline, the angler shall be within 100 yards of the surface or bank of the water being fished.

(6) A setline shall have one end attached to a nonmoving object, not attached to a fishing pole, and shall have attached a legible tag with the name, address, and setline permit number of the angler.

(7) Anglers under 12 years of age must purchase a valid Utah one day, seven day or annual fishing or combination license and setline permit in order to use a setline.

R657-13-15. Taking Crayfish.

(1) A person possessing a valid Utah fishing or combination license may take crayfish for personal, noncommercial purposes during the open fishing season set for the given body of water.

(2) Crayfish may be taken by hand or with a trap, pole, liftnet, dipnet, handline, or seine, provided that:

(a) game fish or their parts, or any substance unlawful for angling, is not used for bait;

(b) seines shall not exceed 10 feet in length or width;

(c) no more than five lines are used, and no more than [one line]two lines may have hooks attached[, except when an angler possesses a valid second pole permit in which case two hooked lines may be used]. On unhooked lines, bait is tied to the line so that the crayfish grasps the bait with its claw; and

(d) live crayfish are not transported from the body of water where taken.

KEY: fish, fishing, wildlife, wildlife law

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [April 21, ]2014

Notice of Continuation: October 1, 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-18; 23-14-19; 23-19-1; 23-22-3