Dec. 29 Game and Fish news

New Year brings new fishing regulations .................................................................................................. . 1

Lew Stahl retires after 36 years of service................................................................................................. . 2

Game and Fish Calendar................................................................................................................................ 3

Ask Game and Fish......................................................................................................................................... 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Year brings new fishing regulations

CHEYENNE – Several new fishing regulations will go into effect with the New Year. These changes came about because of action by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission last fall and went through a series of public meetings.

 

Of interest to anglers and live baitfish dealers is the change that allows transport of live baitfish into the state from approved commercial hatcheries. The regulation includes new requirements specific to live baitfish importation. The new regulation will allow those holding a commercial hatchery license or a live baitfish dealer license to import fathead minnows from Game and Fish approved commercial sources outside the State of Wyoming.

“This regulation was changed specifically to improve the live baitfish supply for those anglers that prefer to use live baitfish,” said Game and Fish fisheries chief, Mark Fowden. “We are confident the safeguards we have put in place by only allowing baitfish to be imported from secure sources will make it easier for anglers to get baitfish and still prevent introduction of unwanted species into Wyoming waters.”

 

Other changes of note reflect a change in state law allowing the use of corn for bait and the use of artificial lighting devices while fishing. The regulation will continue to prohibit the use of artificial light when spear gunning for game fish.

 

Of interest to bass anglers is the liberalization of the size limit regulation for bass on several southeastern Wyoming waters. Festo Lake and Hawk Springs Reservoir have had the bass size limit removed completely. On Grayrocks Reservoir, the 15- inch minimum size limit has been removed. Anglers can now keep three (3) bass but only one can be over 12 inches in length.

 

The new fishing regulations booklet listing all changes is now on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov. Printed copies are now available at license selling agents. The new changes are highlighted throughout the booklet.

(Contact: Al Langston 307-777-4540)

-WGFD-

 

 

 

 

Lew Stahl retires after 36 years of service

 

CODY—Lew Stahl, statewide fish passage coordinator in Cody, will retire after 36 years of service with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

 

Fish Division Chief Mark Fowden said, "Lew's achievements are both numerous and remarkable; his has been a diverse and productive career."

 

Stahl began his Game and Fish career as a seasonal wildlife biologist in Gillette in 1978. He then worked at the Downar Bird Farm near Yoder for nine months before moving to the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) near Lovell in 1980, to begin his permanent service as a habitat unit manager for Game and Fish habitat areas in the Cody and Sheridan regions. He transferred to the Lander region in 1988, where he worked on habitat areas around Riverton, Dubois, and Lander. Lew then become the terrestrial habitat biologist while in the Lander region and worked extensively with government agencies and private landowners. He transferred from the terrestrial section to be the Cody Region’s aquatic habitat biologist in August 1996 and was promoted to be Wyoming’s first fish passage coordinator in August 2010. In this statewide position he was responsible for providing fish upstream passage past barriers and keeping fish in the streams by screening canal systems.  

 

"Truly, it is remarkable for a department employee to experience such a diversity of jobs and duties and to serve three divisions during their career. Lew's dedication to enhancing and maintaining habitat on private, public and Commission controlled lands and waters is a testament to his passion for fish and wildlife habitat regardless of where or how he practiced his craft," Fowden said.

           

Stahl is a Goodell, Iowa native, although he spent three years of grade school in Moorcroft. He attended Iowa State University before moving to Wyoming and earning wildlife management degrees from both Northwest Community College in Powell and the University of Wyoming. Lew also served in the Iowa and Wyoming Army National Guard from 1971-79.

 

In his spare time he enjoys fishing, hunting, camping, horses and woodworking. He has been a member of Wyoming Biologists’ Association, the Wildlife Society, Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

 

Lew and his wife, Mary Jane, look forward to a new chapter in their lives and plan to travel in retirement.

(Contact: Tara Hodges 307-527-7125)

-WGFD-

 

 

Game and Fish Calendar

Dec. 29 – Deadline for written comments on public records and licenses/permits proposed regulations

Dec. 31 – Season closes for sharp-tailed grouse and remaining pheasant areas

Dec. 31 – 2014 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and conservation stamps expire

Jan. 1 – Resident and Non Resident application periods begin for all big game species

Jan. 1 – Canada goose season closes in Pacific Flyway

Jan. 1 – Begin accepting artwork for Wyoming Game and Fish Conservation Stamp Contest

 

 

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