TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Emergency Rule

LSA Document #08-743(E)

DIGEST

Temporarily amends 312 IAC 9, governing the taking and possession of paddlefish, to prohibit the taking of fish by snagging, modify the definition of rough fish, provide a standard for the measurement of paddlefish, prohibit the taking of paddlefish from public waters under a regular sport fishing license, and provide a season and size limit for the commercial fishing of paddlefish on the Ohio River. This document supersedes LSA Document #08-687(E), posted at 20080910-IR-312080687ERA. Effective September 22, 2008.

SECTION 1. This document supersedes LSA Document #08-687(E), which is posted at 20080910-IR-312080687ERA.

SECTION 2. (a) This SECTION supersedes 312 IAC 9-6-1(63).

(b) "Rough fish" means a species of fish that is not any of the following:

(1) A sport fish as defined in 312 IAC 9-6-1.

(2) An endangered species listed in 312 IAC 9-6-9.

(3) A species prohibited from being taken under this document.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding 312 IAC 9-6-2(a), the measurement of a paddlefish must be taken in a straight line from the eye to the fork of the tail fin.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding 312 IAC 9-7-16(c), a person must not take a rough fish by snagging.

SECTION 5. (a) This SECTION supersedes 312 IAC 9-7-19.

(b) A person must not take or possess paddlefish from any public water.

SECTION 6. (a) This SECTION is supplemental to the provisions in 312 IAC 9-8-6 governing commercial fishing on the Ohio River.

(b) An individual must not take a paddlefish from May 1 through October 31. Paddlefish taken from November 1 through April 30 must be at least thirty-two (32) inches in eye to fork length. The cutting or mutilation of live paddlefish to check for eggs is prohibited except that a 10-gauge needle may be inserted into the abdomen between the pectoral and pelvic fins to determine the presence of eggs.

(c) The following restrictions apply to a gill or trammel net:

(1) From November 1 through April 30, only nets with a minimum bar mesh size of four (4) inches shall be fished.

(2) From May 1 through October 31, only nets with a bar mesh size ranging from four (4) inches to four and one-half (4 1/2) inches shall be fished.

(3) The nets referenced in this subdivision may be fished weighted or as a flag net.

(4) A tag must be attached to the net at intervals not less than one hundred (100) feet apart.

DIN: 20081001-IR-312080743ERA

Composed: Apr 27,2024 7:01:08AM EDT

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