CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s new advisory board for commercially-guided fishing boats held its initial meeting May 1 in Cheyenne. The advisory board began discussions to develop recommendations that will address waterway congestion stemming from commercial guide boat activity, and serve to help improve the overall fishing experience for the public in Wyoming.
“We appreciate these individuals stepping up and working with Game and Fish as we work towards long-term solutions for commercially-guided fishing in our state,” said Alan Osterland, Game and Fish chief of fisheries. “Their local perspectives and expertise will help us address key issues that affect fishing in Wyoming’s waterways.”
Board members were selected last month following a public application process. The new advisory board members are:
- Gary Korrel, Goshen, Laramie and Platte counties.
- Ian McCreary, Albany, Carbon and Sweetwater counties.
- Christopher Hayes, Lincoln, Sublette, Teton and Uinta counties.
- Larry Larson, Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties.
- John Schwalbe, Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties.
- Owen Miller, Crook, Niobrara and Weston counties.
- Blake Jackson, Converse, Fremont and Natrona counties.
The board's formation followed the passage of House Bill 5 earlier this year, which authorizes Game and Fish to create rules to regulate commercially-guided fishing boats in the state, addressing the fact that there are currently no regulations controlling the number of commercial guide boats on any state waterways or a licensing or permitting structure for the watercraft.
Between May and August the advisory board will hold public meetings to develop recommendations on how to regulate guided commercial fishing boats that utilize Wyoming’s waterways. The board will then meet with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in September to present its recommendations.
Once approved, the Commission’s recommendations will be presented to the joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee by Nov. 1. The registration requirements designated by the Commission will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
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