Sportfishing Rule Adoption Process | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

People with ideas to improve state sport fishing rules can submit their proposals to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) through June 15.

Sportfishing rule changes developed through this process will be available for public review and comment in early September. The final opportunity to submit written comments to WDFW on those proposals will be Dec. 15.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, is scheduled to receive a briefing on the rule proposals during its December public meeting in Olympia.

The public also will have an opportunity to provide comment on the proposed rule changes during the commission's January 2013 meeting. The commission will take final action on the 2013-14 sportfishing rule changes during a public meeting in February 2013.

Timeline for 2013-2014 Sport Rule Adoption Process
April 25	Notify public, tribes, advisory groups, other government and non-government organizations, and WDFW staff of proposal process, guidelines, and submission process.
June 15	Deadline for the public to submit proposals for sportfishing regulation changes.
Early September	Proposals placed on website and email notification to public for comment.
September - October	Regional public meetings to discuss proposals. Locations and dates will be posted in August.
Early Dec	Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting: Staff will brief the commission on proposed sportfishing regulation changes.
December 15	Deadline for the public to submit written comments on proposed sportfishing regulation changes.
January	Public testimony on proposals received at Commission meeting.
February	Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting: Staff will ask the commission to adopt the sportfishing regulation changes.
May 1, 2013	Pamphlet available - Rules take effect.

Public invited to propose changes to recreational fisheries