Very interesting indeed! I hadn't even heard of this case. So if fishing from a boat equiped with a motor isn't related to fish conservation, I suppose the Commission also cannot adopt regulations that prohibit fishing from a boat - a rule that is in place on a few rivers and lakes. The narrow view of the court could prove very restrictive of the Commission's ability to regulate a fishery.

What's next? Can the Commission prohibit the use of bait, barbed hooks, treble hooks, snagging, dupont spinners? None of those technically relate to conservation either. The Commission can always just close a water to any fishing, if they cannot prohibit certain methods, to achieve their authorized conservation objectives. I think the court had its head in a vise on this decision.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.