FORKS — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled a public meeting on the management of the state’s salmon and steelhead fishing guide industry in Forks on Wednesday.
The meeting will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
Fish and Wildlife representatives will discuss current management and take suggestions for potential regulatory changes for the fishing guide industry.
During the 2017 legislative session, the Legislature directed Fish and Wildlife to hold meetings to explore alternative structures for guide licensing.
The states objectives are, according to Fish and Wildlife, to improve the fishing experience and ensure equitable opportunity for both guided and non-guided river anglers, manage fishing pressure to protect wild steelhead and other species, and ensure that recreational fish guiding remains a sustainable economic contributor to rural economies.
Fish and Wildlife also is working with a contractor to develop and conduct a survey to capture feedback from those who cannot attend a meeting in person.
The department will provide a summary of its findings to the Legislature by the end of the year.
Other meetings are planned in Lyle, Ridgefield, Mill Creek, East Wenatchee and Clarkston.
For more information, see wdfw.wa.gov.
