Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division officials have extended the period for taking comments on proposed changes to the state's trout fishing regulations on inland streams until Sept. 1, 2009.

"We want to make sure everyone has a chance to be heard as this is the first significant change we've proposed to trout regulations in a decade," said Todd Grischke, who oversees recreational fishing regulations for Fisheries Division.

The proposal is an attempt to further simplify regulations, reducing the current seven stream categories to four. The proposal also calls for standard minimum size limits of 7 inches for brook trout and 8 inches for brown trout statewide. Previously, size limits for both species differed by peninsula.

In addition, the proposal suggests eliminating the current Type 2 category. All streams in the Type 2 category will be temporarily reclassified into other categories. Further review of an appropriate category for these Type 2 streams will commence in early 2010.

Fisheries Division also will begin a review of streams currently in the Gear Restricted Waters category, as well as those proposed for addition to that category, again commencing in early 2010.

To read the proposal, or see proposed new designations for streams currently classified as Type 2, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

Comments on the proposals can be sent to DNR-InlandTrout@michigan.gov.