News – Sheridan Media
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Commercial Fishing Boat Advisory Board has endorsed several changes to the state’s proposed Chapter 71 regulations.
During a virtual meeting Aug. 12, the board supported department recommendations to address fees, reporting and boat registration. The proposals will go before the Game and Fish Commission at its Sept. 9-10 meeting in Lander.
After reviewing public comments, board members said they want to balance program costs with fees for outfitters. They warned that higher fees could discourage smaller operators and part-time guides. The board unanimously recommended keeping fees at the lowest feasible level while still covering administrative costs.
Other recommendations based on concerns and issues within the public comments included:
Registration flexibility: Boat or trailer registrants would not have to be the owners, allowing outfitters to use borrowed equipment.
Decal transferability: Registration decals could be moved between watercraft, so outfitters only pay for the number of boats they operate at one time.
Supplemental documentation: In addition to required stickers on boats and trailers, a dashboard slip would indicate whether a boat is on a commercial or private trip, addressing concerns about borrowed trailers or tampered decals.
The revised regulations will be presented to the commission in Lander, where the public will have additional opportunities to comment.
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Last modified: September 6, 2025