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is there a snake river G&F rep in here? is live bait prohibited everywhere in lakes in teton county?
Is there any place on the G&F website stating where and how many fish were stocked for the year?
Dear wyice,Since refilling in 2009, Wheatland #3 has been stocked annually, from 2009 through 2012 the size of fish stocked ranged from 2 inches to 8 inches, but a majority stocked in that time period were smaller fish in the 3-5 inch range. 2009 - 265,397 trout stocked; 2010 - 176,412; 2011 - 145,117; 2012 - 264,142; 2013 - 54,229 (all of these were 7-inch fish). From 2009 through 2012 the Game and Fish, Fish Culture Section did an outstanding job finding extra fish within their system to stock into #3. 2013 represented the first year of a normal fish stocking schedule, which should be around 70,000 7-inch RBT. The reservoir is starting to decrease again, stocking will continue until it is deemed the stocked fish will no longer survive. Lots of different trout species were stocked from 2009 through 2013, these include brown trout, Snake River cutthroat, Yellowstone River cutthroat, Bear River cutthroat, Colorado River cutthroat, and rainbow trout. Sincerely,WGFDFishBioLaramie
Thanks for creating the forum to answer questions and help avoid problems later. I understand the need for strict regulations on live bait, particularly minnows, to avoid introducing non-native species and novel diseases. While I understand the need, I don’t understand the regulations themselves for Area 5, the SE part of the state where I fish. Page 8 of the 2014-15 Regulations book states “Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported and possessed throughout Areas 2, 3 and 5 (east of the continental divide) except where the use of live baitfish is prohibited.” It then goes on to prohibit use of live bait on all waters except as allowed under Area specific regulations on pages 23-33. Area 5 regs allow use of live baitfish in described waters “provided the baitfish are obtained from a licensed live baitfish dealer authorized to sell baitfish for use in those waters.” It then goes on to describe 4 live baitfish location areas, A-D, and prohibits movement of live bait approved for use inside, to outside those areas. I think the intent is to limit movement of wild-caught live bait to the drainage they were caught in, but the regulation seems to apply to commercially-produced live bait as well. A couple questions, is there a list of licensed bait dealers and what waters the minnows they sell are authorized for? Can I buy minnows in Laramie, or at Glendo, and transport and use them at Hawk Springs? Thanks for the clarification.
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What is the current state of east Allen, I was in the Virginian a couple of years ago and a barmaid told me WGF placed a cage with trout in it, in the lake and they died,She claimed that east Allen was no longer stocked, Did this really happen? And are you currently stocking fish there? Thanks Bob ?
With the large amount of fish stocking that has occurred here with cost values in the many thousands-Why does the G&F have no say in the water levels in this lake? It seems like a huge waste to stock this lake with thousands and thousands of fish to now see the water level dropping again which will again lead to a huge fish die off eventually. Why is there no compromise between the ditch company and the G&F regarding water rights?
Dear Game and Fish:I only have a few laws I want changed, removed, or added... for the most part I think you guys do a heck of a job. Thanks again for answering our questions.Has perch meat ever been discussed for bait? I know some neighboring states allow perch meat for bait and I don't really see the harm in it. You let us keep 50 perch a day from a body of water... what is the harm in using a few of them for bait?In case anyone is curious, strips of perch meat works great tipped on jigs for all sorts of species, crappie, trout, other perch, eyes, cats, etc.... everything likes perch. (I'm not suggesting we use them as live bait to be clear though). Either in chunks for cats or in strips for everything else...
Game and Fish:I was wondering if a Wyoming resident purchases a lifetime fishing license/conservation stamp and leaves the state later on and becomes a resident in a different state will that license and stamp still be valid to use in Wyoming?Thanks
Dear Wifes Folly,Lets first deal with your statement, "Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported and possessed throughout Areas 2, 3 and 5 (east of the continental divide) except where the use of live baitfish is prohibited.” It then goes on to prohibit use of live bait on all waters except as allowed under Area specific regulations on pages 23-33."The first sentence states "Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported and possessed throughout Areas 2, 3 and 5 (east of the continental divide) except where the use of live baitfish is prohibited.” is true, however; there is currently not an in-state source of commercially produced live baitfish, such as the fathead minnow, which is the only approved statewide use baitfish. The Women's Prison in Lusk was trying to get something started, but currently is not an option for commercially produced live baitfish. If there was a source, you could transport throughout Area 5 and possess them at Area 5 waters where live baitfish are allowed. The second sentence states "Use or possession of commercially produced live baitfish is prohibited on all waters except as otherwise provided on pages 23-33." This statement is clarifying that while you can transport and possess commercially produced live baitfish in Areas 2,3 and 5, you better not be in possession of them on a water that does not allow the use of live baitfish. Here's a scenario - If you were able to purchase commercially produced livebait fish (i.e. fathead minnows) in Laramie, you could transport and be in possession of those live baitfish at Glendo Reservoir or Hawk Springs Reservoir, but you could not transport and be in possession of those live baitfish at Lake Hattie. You can contact Cheyenne to get a list of Live Bait Dealers, but here are some that I found that have already purchased their 2014 Live Bait Dealer license within Area 5. Glendo Trading Post, Sloanes General Store in Alcova, Rocky Mountain Discount Sports in Casper, and SS Bait Company in Casper on Facebook. Since there are no commercially produced live baitfish available in Wyoming, each live baitfish dealer will be selling wild caught baitfish and they will let you know what Area (A-D) in Area 5 that you could use those wild caught baitfish. In addition, you will be given a receipt stating which Area (A-D) in Area 5 you can use them in as well. I don't know if all the above listed Live Bait Dealers are currently selling wild caught baitfish, but to answer your one specific question, if the Glendo Trading Post is selling wild caught live baitfish for Area A in Area 5 you could then transport those to Hawk Springs Reservoir or Grayrocks Reservoir for use. The Fish Division is working hard at developing a solution to the lack viable sources of commercially produced live baitfish. Currently under regulations it states that no live baitfish shall be transported into the state for use as live baitfish. This regulation ties our hands in allowing certified disease free statewide use minnows (i.e. fathead minnows) to be imported into the state for sale. There will be a push to change this regulation in the following years.Hopefully this helps answer some of your questions and clears the muddy waters on this subject a bit,Sincerely,WGFDFishBioLaramie
I was looking at doing a small derby through our work for our staff and customers. Wanted to make sure we were playing by all the rules so what is my process to make sure I have everything documented? Thanks!
"The first sentence states "Commercially produced live baitfish may be transported and possessed throughout Areas 2, 3 and 5 (east of the continental divide) except where the use of live baitfish is prohibited.” is true, however; there is currently not an in-state source of commercially produced live baitfish, such as the fathead minnow, which is the only approved statewide use baitfish."tmeyer,Being down here in Laramie I was not aware of that one. WGFDFishBio informed me, after my post, about Bush's bait. Thanks for letting everyone know. WGFDFishBio did say that if you intend to travel to pick up some bait from Bush's bait, you should call ahead to see about their supply.Take care,WGFDFishBioLaramieBush's bait Co in gillette produces and supplies state certified minnows.