Public Input Sought on Proposed Changes to 2013-14 Arizona Fishing Regulations
OutdoorHub 05.27.12
Should the slot limit for largemouth bass be removed at Alamo Lake? Should bag limits for bass, catfish and trout be reduced at Cataract and Kaibab lakes?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants your input on these and other proposed changes for the 2013-14 Arizona fishing regulations. There are five proposed changes:
- Remove the special regulation slot limit for largemouth bass at Alamo Lake. Alamo currently has a six-bass limit, of which no more than one can be between 13 and 16 inches long. It is the only body of water in Arizona that still has a slot limit for largemouth bass. The regulation for bass at Alamo Lake will revert to the statewide limit of six bass (no slot restriction).
- Extend the “no harvest of largemouth bass” restriction at Pena Blanca Lake (currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2012) to instead expire on Dec. 31, 2016. All largemouth bass must be immediately released.
- Reduce bag limits for bass (from six to two), catfish (from 25 to four) and trout (from six to four) and add a minimum size (13 inches) for bass at Cataract Lake and Kaibab Lake.
- Allow gizzard shad as a legal live baitfish on Colorado River-connected waters from Separation Canyon downstream to the Mexico Border, including the Gila and Salt rivers and their impounded reservoirs. Gizzard shad can be collected on site only, and may not be transported to or from other waters.
- Reduce the bag and possession limits on channel catfish at Parker Canyon Lake from 25 to four.
The proposed changes and the rationale behind them can be found at www.azgfd.gov/fishregs.
Written comments can be submitted by e-mail to fishregscomments@azgfd.gov through July 24, 2012. Comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Fish Regulation Comments, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
A series of public meetings will be held from June 5-13 at various locations around the state to discuss the proposed changes. Each meeting will start at the time indicated; end times are listed but will vary (earlier or later) depending on attendance and interest. Meeting dates and locations are:
- June 5, 7-9 p.m., Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
- June 6, 7-9 p.m., Yuma, American Legion Hall, 2575 South Virginia Drive.
- June 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive.
- June 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.
- June 13, 6-8 p.m., Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
The regulations changes are scheduled to be presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its meeting set for Sept. 7-8, 2012 in Phoenix. The public is welcome to attend. An agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting at www.azgfd.gov/commission.
For more information on the proposed regulation changes, visit www.azgfd.gov/fishregs.
