nh-2026-201: Freshwater Fishing Seasons and Rules, Importation of Finfish for Bait, General Restrictions for Fishing Tournaments, Importing Bait Fish, Free Fishing Day

1. Agency: Fish and Game Department

Agency Address: Fish and Game Department 11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301

5. Short Title: Freshwater Fishing Seasons and Rules, Importation of Finfish for Bait,

General Restrictions for Fishing Tournaments, Importing Bait Fish, Free Fishing Day

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: This proceeding proposes to readopt with amendment, Fis 402.08 “Possession and Use of Live Fish for Bait,” Fis 405.07 “Hooks or Other Devices for Attachment of Bait,” Fis 406.04 “Lake Trout and Salmon Waters,” and Fis 503.05 “General Restrictions for Fishing Tournaments.” Fis 402.08 is being amended to remove 2 species of fish from the list, add the word “Eastern” before 2 species names, and correct the scientific names of 2 species. Fis 405.07 is being amended to remove an incorrect reference to another administrative rule. Fis 406.04 is being amended to explicitly state a daily bag limit for fish and remove a redundant provision. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/29/2026 Fis 502.07 is being amended to remove 2 species of fish from the list and correct the common and scientific name of one species. Fis 503.05 is being amended to remove one section and clarify another. This proceeding proposes to readopt, Fis 402.12 “Marking Prohibited,” Fis 403.06 “Lake Whitefish,” Fis 408.18 “Round Whitefish,” and Fis 1203.01 “Free Fishing Day,” in order to prevent expiration. This proceeding proposes to readopt with amendment, Fis 1104.07 to enable changes to the form to align with the changes to Fis 502.07. This proceeding proposes to adopt the following expired rule sections without amendment, Fis 408.17 entitled “River Herring,” Fis 410.02, entitled “Ice Fishing Restrictions,” Fis 410.03, entitled “Open Water Restrictions,” Fis 410.05, entitled “Salmon Falls River,” Fis 410.06, entitled “Great East Lake,” and Fis 410.07, entitled “Umbagog Lake.” _ Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? This proposal does not implement a statute for the first time. 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: All persons who fish in New Hampshire. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: State or Federal Statute the Rule Rule Implements Fis 402.08 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 212:19 Fis 402.12 RSA 206:10, I Fis 403.06 RSA 206:10, I Fis 405.07 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 212:19 Fis 406.04 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 212:19 Fis 408.17 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:5 Fis 408.18 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:5 Fis 410.02 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:4 Fis 410.03 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:4 Fis 410.05 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:4 Fis 410.06 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:4 Fis 410.07 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:4 Fis 502.07 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 214:35 Fis 503.05 RSA 206:10, I; RSA 211:16-b ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/29/2026 Fis 1104.07 RSA 214:34-d Fis 1203.01 RSA 214:1-e

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Name: Melissa Nemeth Title: Legal and Legislative Liaison Address: 11 Hazen Drive Phone Number: (603) 271-1138 Concord, NH 03301 FAX Number: Email: Melissa.M.Nemeth@wildlife.nh.gov

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 _ Fax X Email comments@wildlife.nh.gov _ Other

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM Place: NHFG Headquarters East Conference Room 11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:144, dated: Monday, July 27, 2026

1. Comparison of the costs of the proposed rule(s) to the existing rule(s):

There is no difference in costs when comparing the proposed rules to the existing rules. Not applicable to Fis 408.17, Fis 410.02-.03, or Fis 410.05-.07, which had previously expired.

2. Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds:

No federal mandate, no impact on state funds. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/29/2026

3. Cost and benefits of the proposed rule(s):

Proposed Fis 408.17, Fis 410.02-.03, and Fis 410.05-.07 reestablish, without amendment, previously expired rules that provide for limitations and restrictions on species, bag limits, and seasons for certain bodies of water. The Fish and Game Department states there are no financial costs or benefits attributable to these rules.

C. To independently owned businesses:

None. 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: This proposal does not mandate any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditures by the political subdivisions, and therefore does not violate Part I, Article 28- a of the New Hampshire Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/29/2026