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SALT LAKE CITY — The Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing several new changes for Utah fishing laws in 2017 and would like feedback from the public.
DWR officials are asking anglers to take the 13-question survey and give feedback on the proposed fishing changes for 2017. The proposals suggest several changes, including allowing corn to be a legal fishing bait in Utah, asking if the size restriction should be removed for smallmouth bass at Jordanelle Reservoir and changing how long a tiger muskie is required to be before anglers are allowed to keep it.
DWR Aquatic Section Chief Drew Cushing said DWR biologists often receive feedback from organized fishing groups, but rarely hear from individual anglers, so they want everyone to take the survey.
“We want to hear from individual anglers too,” Cushing said. “Please share your thoughts and ideas with us. We want to hear from you. Your opinion matters.”
The survey is due by June 17, and although the feedback is being gathered this year, some of the proposed changes — including those about tiger muskies — may not result in changes for 2017. Cushing said biologists would like the feedback now though, so they can determine the direction Utah’s tiger muskie management program should take.
After evaluating the feedback on the surveys, DWR biologists will present their final recommendations at public Regional Advisory Council meetings in September. The Utah Wildlife Board will make the final decision about Utah’s 2017 fishing rules at a meeting on Sept. 29, DWR said.
