September 29, 1998


Idaho State Council
Trout Unlimited
P.O. Box 1
McCall, Idaho 83638


Dr. Fred Wood, Chairman
Idaho Fish and Game Commission
600 S. Walnut Street
Boise, Idaho 83707


Dear Commissioner Wood:


The Idaho State Council of Trout Unlimited met in Ketchum September 26, 1998 and discussed the financial issues facing the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Based on our discussion we want to present our consensus position regarding proposed fee options as well as provide some additional comments.

We first want to compliment the Idaho Department of Fish and Game staff for their public outreach efforts this past summer. Idahoans are now more informed about the Department's financial situation, and people were asked for their input on what should be done. Most of our State Council members encountered a Department employee during the recent "stand down" effort. The recent open houses are another example of Department openness and education of sportsmen and women about the Department functions. The staff deserves praise for their efforts.

In our discussion we noted that to date the public discussion on fee increases has focused exclusively on the hunting fees and on revenue sources other than the traditional source of sportsmen and women. Fishing fees have not received attention. This oversight needs correction in the coming weeks. We are concerned that the proposed increases across the board in all proposed options may have inordinant impact on fishing families who enjoy the sport but participate only a few times a year. The fee increases for adults and their children need to be examined from a standpoint of impact to the family.

As for the fee options proposed this summer, the Idaho State Council of Trout Unlimited supports Option Four (simplified hunting fees, and alternative funding), with the additional aspect of a two-tiered fishing license which would include a base fee for fishing, and an additional fee for trout possession. Option Four proposes resident fishing license fees increasing from $16.50 to $24.50. We suggest an increase to roughly $20.00 for fishing, and an additional $5.00 for those who want to keep the fish they catch.

The effect of this two tier approach would be to signal the sportsmen that keeping fish, regardless of whether wild or hatchery, is an impact on both Department resources as well as the trout resource itself. Evidence from the Department's reports show the financial impact of producing hatchery fish. Our philosophy with this approach is those who exercise their prerogative to keep fish should pay a little more since they are the ones benefitting from Department production and management. People who practice catch-and-release fishing for trout should be recognized as having less impact on the resource and on the Department.

In order to keep the system as simple as possible we propose the additional possession fee be applied to trout, whether hatchery or wild. The existing tags for steelhead and salmon should continue. The additional possession fee would not apply to warm water species like bass and crappie. We'll leave it to Department expects to determine whether the fee be waived for white fish (a salmonid), and brook trout which inhabit some Idaho streams to the potential detriment of native bull trout. Since most kids probably keep what they catch, the proposed flat fee is Option Four is preferable than a two-tiered approach. Let's apply it to the grown-ups.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,
Shawn Miller
State Council President, Trout Unlimited

cc. Idaho Department of Fish and Game