DAR File No. 43230

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-13

Taking Fish and Crayfish

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 43230
Filed: 10/04/2018 10:09:42 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: 1) allows for the use of corn as bait; 2) eliminates the requirement of a reciprocal fishing permit when fishing at Lake Powell; 3) allows for the use of a color variant of fathead minnows to be identified as bait species; and 4) removes the license restriction to require those under 12 years of age to purchase a setline permit.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-18
• Section 23-14-19

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

DWR has determined that these amendments will create a loss in revenue for DWR. Roughly 4,500 to 5,000 licenses are purchased each year to fish at Lake Powell the loss of these licenses will result in an average loss of $39,000 per year. In addition, 10 to 12 set line permits are purchased each year by anglers under 12 years of age. This change will result in a $220 to $280 loss each year.

local governments:

These amendments are not expected to have any impact on local governments' revenues or expenditures because the permit fees no longer being collected for reciprocal permits or setline permits purchased by those under 12 are state funds and not local funds.

small businesses:

These amendments are not expected to have any impact on small businesses' revenues or expenditures because the permit fees no longer being collected for reciprocal permits or setline permits purchased by those under 12 are state funds and do not directly affect small businesses.

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

These amendments remove the requirement to purchase an additional permit to fish on Lake Powell, as well as an additional setline permit for those under 12 years of age, this will create an estimated $39,000 savings for anglers. Each angler would save between $5 and $75 dollars depending on the type of Utah Non-resident license they would have purchased. These amendments do not remove the requirement to have an Arizona license to fish Lake Powell.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR has determined that these amendments could create a savings impact to individuals who participate in fishing at Lake Powell or are anglers under 12 in Utah.

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

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that these proposed rule changes will not result in a fiscal impact to businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office 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:

12/03/2018

This rule may become effective on:

12/10/2018

Authorized by:

Mike Fowlks, Director

Appendix 1: Regulatory Impact Summary Table*

Fiscal Costs	FY 2019	FY 2020	FY 2021
State Government	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Person	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Costs:	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000
Fiscal Benefits
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Persons	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000
Total Fiscal Benefits:	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000
Net Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0

 

*This table only includes fiscal impacts that could be measured. If there are inestimable fiscal impacts, they will not be included in this table. Inestimable impacts for State Government, Local Government, Small Businesses and Other Persons are described in the narrative. Inestimable impacts for Non - Small Businesses are described in Appendix 2.

 

Appendix 2: Regulatory Impact to Non - Small Businesses

This rule change is not expected to have any fiscal impacts on non-small businesses revenues or expenditures, because they currently do not benefit from the sale of fishing licenses. Any increase or decrease in license sales is not applicable to any private business non-small or small.

 

The head of department of Natural Resources, Michael Styler, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

 

 

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 corn, 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) "Permanent residence" means, for the purposes of this rule only, the domicile an individual claims pursuant to Utah Code 23-13-2(13).

(y) "Possession limit" means, for purposes of this rule only, two daily limits, including fish in a cooler, camper, tent, freezer, livewell or any other place of storage, excluding fish stored in an individual's permanent residence.

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

(aa) "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.

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

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

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

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

(hh)(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]and Reciprocal Fishing Permits.

(1) [Bear Lake]When fishing interstate waters, an individual must:

[(a) The holder of a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license may fish within Bear Lake as follows:

(i) an individual may fish with up to two poles on the Utah portion of Bear Lake; 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.](a) obtain the necessary fishing licenses and permits, as provided below; and

(b) comply with angling regulations applicable to the state where they are fishing.

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

(2) Reciprocal Fishing Permits](2) Bear Lake.

(a) [The purchase of a reciprocal fishing permit allows a person to fish across state boundaries of interstate waters.]A person possessing a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license, whether resident or nonresident, may fish both the Utah and Idaho portions of the Lake in accordance with the angling regulations applicable to the state where they are fishing.

(b) [Reciprocal fishing permits are offered for Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge Reservoir (See Subsections (3) and (4)).]Only one daily limit may be taken in a single day, even if licensed in both states.

(3) Lake Powell Reservoir.

(a) A person possessing a valid Utah or Arizona fishing or combination license, whether resident or nonresident, may fish both the Utah and Arizona portions of the Reservoir in accordance with the angling regulations applicable to the state where they are fishing.

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

(4) Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

(a) A Utah resident possessing a valid Utah fishing or combination license and a Wyoming reciprocal fishing permit for Flaming Gorge Reservoir may fish the Wyoming portions of the Reservoir as prescribed in Wyoming angling regulations.

([c]i) Utah residents may obtain reciprocal fishing permits for Flaming Gorge Reservoir by contacting the [state of Arizona for Lake Powell and the state of Wyoming for Flaming Gorge.]Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

(b) A person possessing a valid, resident or nonresident, Wyoming fishing or combination license and a Utah reciprocal fishing permit for Flaming Gorge Reservoir may fish the Utah portions of the Reservoir as prescribed in Utah angling regulations.

([d]i) [Nonresidents may obtain]A Utah reciprocal fishing [permits]permit for Flaming Gorge Reservoir may be obtained through the division's web site, [from online]authorized license agents[and division], or regional offices.

([e]ii) The Utah reciprocal fishing permit must be:

([i]A) used in conjunction with a valid[unexpired], Resident or nonresident Wyoming fishing or combination license[from a reciprocating state]; and

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

([f]c) [Reciprocal]A Utah reciprocal fishing [permits are]permit is 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]d) 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.]

 

R657-13-8. 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 person may use up to two 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.]

 

R657-13-12. Bait.

(1) Use or possession of corn while fishing is lawful, except as otherwise prohibited by the Wildlife Board in the Fishing Guidebook.

([1]2) Use or possession of [corn, hominy, or ]live baitfish while fishing is unlawful, except as authorized by the Wildlife Board in the Fishing Guidebook.

([2]3) Use or possession of tiger salamanders (live or dead) while fishing is unlawful.

([3]4) Use or possession of any bait while fishing on waters designated artificial fly and lure only is unlawful.

([4]5) Use or possession of artificial baits which are commercially imbedded or covered with fish or fish parts while fishing is unlawful.

([5]6) Use or possession of bait in the form of fresh or frozen fish or fish parts while fishing is unlawful, except as provided below and in Subsections (7) and (8).

(a) Dead Bonneville cisco may be used as bait only in Bear Lake.

(b) Dead yellow perch may be used as bait only in: Big Sand Wash, Deer Creek, Echo, Fish Lake,[,] Gunnison, Hyrum, Johnson, Jordanelle, Mantua, Mill Meadow, Newton, Pineview, Red Fleet, Rockport, Starvation, Utah Lake, Willard Bay and Yuba reservoirs.

(c) Dead white bass may be used as bait only in Utah Lake and the Jordan River.

(d) Dead shad, from Lake Powell, may be used as bait only in Lake Powell. Dead shad must not be removed from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

(e) Dead striped bass, from Lake Powell, may be used as bait only in Lake Powell.

(f) Dead fresh or frozen salt water species including sardines and anchovies may be used as bait in any water where bait is permitted.

(g) Dead mountain sucker, white sucker, Utah sucker, redside shiner, speckled dace, mottled sculpin, fat head minnow (all color variants including rosy red minnows), Utah chub, and common carp may be used as bait in any water where bait is permitted.

(h) Dead burbot, from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, may be used as bait only in Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

([6]7) Commercially prepared and chemically treated baitfish or their parts may be used as bait in any water where bait is permitted.

([7]8) The eggs of any species of fish caught in Utah, except prohibited fish, may be used in any water where bait is permitted. However, eggs may not be taken or used from fish that are being released.

([8]9) Use of live crayfish for bait is legal only on the water where the crayfish is captured. It is unlawful to transport live crayfish away from the water where captured.

([9]10) Manufactured, human-made items that may not be digestible, that are chemically treated with food stuffs, chemical fish attractants, or feeding stimulants may not be used on waters where bait is prohibited.

([10]11) On any water declared infested by the Wildlife Board with an aquatic invasive species, or that is subject to a closure order or control plan under R657-60, it shall be unlawful to transport any species of baitfish (live or dead) from the infested water for use as bait in any other water of the State. Baitfish are defined as those species listed in sections (5)(b), (5)(c), (5)(f) and (8).

 

KEY: fish, fishing, wildlife, wildlife law

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 8, 2016]2018

Notice of Continuation: September 28, 2017

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