Dec. 23, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 478

For more information, contact Craig Shirey, Fisheries, 302-739-9914, or Joanna C. Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Proposed change in largemouth bass special regulations
at three ponds to be topic of Dec. 29 public hearing

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 in the DNREC auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, regarding a proposal to eliminate special slot limit regulations for largemouth bass in Hearns Pond, Andrews Lake and Derby Pond and return to the standard six-fish, 12-inch minimum size limit. 

The Division enacted specialized size regulations for largemouth bass in these ponds in May 1990 to address an unbalanced bass population. The specialized regulations were designed to allow harvest of overabundant small bass, to allow for better growth rates and to protect low numbers of larger bass. 

Recent surveys of the bass populations in these ponds have shown a more balanced size distribution, and the special regulations are no longer necessary. The slot limit regulations have had a negative effect on fishing tournaments by not allowing possession and weigh-in of protected slot-size bass. 

Citizens may address comments in writing to the Fisheries Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Email comments may be sent to lisa.vest@state.de.us or craig.shirey@state.de.us.

For more information, contact Fisheries at 302-739-9914.