Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008

PROPOSED STRIPER CHANGES

Alarmed by the falling striper population, fishing guides, tourism officials and anglers are asking legislators to toughen restrictions on catching the fish.

Now: Year-round fishing is permitted in the Santee River system. Limit: five striped bass a day; they must be longer than 21 inches.

Proposed: Ban fishing for striped bass in the Santee River system June 1-Sept. 30. The rest of the year, anglers could keep only three fish a day, 26 inches long, at minimum.