The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will hold public scoping meetings throughout the Area 5 fishing region to discuss fishing regulation changes and fisheries management. Area 5 covers the North Platte, Sweetwater River and South Platte drainages in central and southeast Wyoming.
Meetings will be held at the following locations:
Torrington: Monday, May 12, 6-8 p.m., Eastern Wyoming College, Community Training Center, CTC Building, 3200 W. C. Street
Wheatland: Tuesday, May 13, 6-8 p.m., Platte Valley Bank, 200 16th Street
Cheyenne: Wed., May 14, 6-8 p.m., Game and Fish Dept. Headquarters, 5400 Bishop Blvd.
Rawlins: Thursday, May 15, 6-8 p.m., Jeffrey Memorial Community Center, 315 W. Pine Street
Casper: Monday, May 19, 7-9 p.m., Casper Game & Fish office, 3030 Energy Lane
Douglas: Tuesday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., City Council Chambers, 101 North 4th Street
Laramie Region Fisheries Supervisor Mike Snigg and Casper Region Fish Supervisor Al Conder say these meetings will provide anglers with an open forum to visit with fisheries biologists and increase opportunity for public participation and input for proposals for the 2015 fishing regulations.
“Typically, Game and Fish personnel formulate proposed fishing regulation changes internally and then ask for public review of those proposed changes. By meeting with anglers beforehand, we are providing opportunity for anglers to voice their opinion and incorporate changes prior to us crafting the language for proposed regulations,” Snigg said.
Issues specific to the Laramie Region to be discussed at the meetings include smallmouth bass management and dealing with illegal introduction of northern pike in Grayrocks Reservoir. Statewide issues, including the legality of bead fishing, changes to use of artificial light for fishing, and changes to live bait importation laws, will also be discussed.
“The public scoping meetings are held to gather feedback prior to the formal public comment period,” Conder said. “We encourage anglers to attend, discuss regulation proposals, and get involved in fisheries management.”
