Wildlife officials are proposing dozens of changes to fishing in Utah and want your feedback

A brook trout is pictured after being caught by an angler in Utah. (Credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

From allowing spearfishing in alpine lakes to increasing protections for native fish, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing a number of changes to the state’s fishing regulations and wants your feedback.

The division this month proposed more than 40 changes for Utah anglers and starting Aug. 27, wildlife officials around the state will hear public comments related to each suggestion.

Some of the proposals could mark significant changes for fishing in Utah, including the addition of new community fishing ponds, or decreasing the daily limit for how many fish can be caught and kept at certain reservoirs. Other proposals are relatively minor, like changes to how many lines can be used while ice fishing, or removing ice-hole size restrictions at Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

The public comment period began on Aug. 6, and each of the states’ five Regional Advisory Councils as well as the Utah Wildlife Board will hear the comments during their meetings in late August and early September.

A full list of the proposals is posted online . Here are some highlights:

• Allowing spearfishing at any time of day or night. Spearfishing is currently only allowed between sunrise and sunset.
• The division also would allow spearfishing at several high-elevation lakes and reservoirs, including Alexander Lake, Wall Lake, Fish Lake, Hoover Lake, Whitney Reservoir, China Lake, Hoop Lake, Chepeta Lake, Papoose Lake, Wigwam Lake, Moccasin Lake, Paradise Park Lake, Hacking Lake, Upper Stillwater Reservoir and Spirit Lake.
• Requiring any June Suckers caught in the Provo River Delta be immediately released. The June Sucker is native to Utah Lake and is federally listed as endangered.
• Adding four community fishing ponds: Dry Creek Highland Pond, Provo River Delta Gateway Park Pond, Jordan River Big Bend Pond and the Willow Spring Pond.
• Decreasing the daily limit for kokanee salmon at Flaming Gorge Reservoir from four to three fish, while allowing anglers there to use lake trout as bait.

A list of the meeting dates and guidelines can be found at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ website .