OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife invites the public to participate in an upcoming public meeting regarding two proposed changes to fishing regulations in Chelan and Grant counties, according to an announcement from WDFW. 

The first proposal is for Fish Lake in Chelan County, to change the existing yellow perch fishing rule from a daily limit of 25 fish to the statewide general rule of no daily limit. The change is expected to increase angler opportunities for harvesting yellow perch and improve the average size of the fish in the lake. 

The second proposal is for Park, Blue, and Deep lakes in Grant County to extend the current fishing season closure date from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31. This change aims to provide additional angling opportunities during the productive fall trout fishing season. 

As part of the rule making process, WDFW will hold a virtual public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 10 to explain the rule proposals and answer questions. People wanting to attend this meeting must register in advance at bit.ly/3X3n1or.  

The draft of the pending rule making petitions are available for public review at bit.ly/3X6oSJ5. Public comment will be accepted through Sept. 10, 2024. Comments may be viewed and submitted at the WDFW Eastern Washington lakes rule-making web page at bit.ly/4cFUdrH. 

A decision on both rule proposals by WDFW’s Director is expected in September, according to the announcement. If adopted, the new fishing rules will take effect shortly after being filed with the Washington Code Reviser’s Office.