H-962                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 841

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives K. Wilson and Sutherland

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to game fish; and amending RCW 77.12.010.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 77.12.010, chapter 36, Laws of 1955 as last amended by section 12, chapter 78, Laws of 1980 and RCW 77.12.010 are each amended to read as follows:

          Wildlife is the property of the state.  The department shall preserve, protect, and perpetuate wildlife.  Game animals, game birds, and game fish may be taken only at times or places, or in manners or quantities as in the judgment of the commission maximizes public recreational opportunities without impairing the supply of wildlife.

The commission shall not adopt rules that categorically prohibit fishing with bait or artificial lures in streams, rivers, beaver ponds, and lakes unless a scientific analysis shows that an individual body of water or part thereof clearly requires a fishing method prohibition to conserve the fisheries resource except where rules require fly fishing and selective fisheries.  The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational opportunities of all citizens, particularly juvenile, handicapped, and senior citizens.

          Nothing contained herein shall be construed to infringe on the right of a private property owner to control the owner's private property.