PITTSBURGH - The state Fish and Boat Commission decided to keep its policy of allowing only artificial lures, such as spinners and flies, on certain trout streams.

Those who contacted the agency were overwhelmingly opposed to a plan to allow live bait at certain times of the year. While just 31 people who contacted the commission favored the change - compared with 1,167 who wanted the "delayed harvest, artificial lures-only" program kept the way it is - the group that sought the change said it will press on.

"I knew that was coming," Al Chislo of the Traditional Anglers of Pennsylvania said of the commission's 8-0 vote Tuesday. He said he'd be talking with an attorney this week.

"We're being discriminated against and it's a violation of our rights," he said.

About 92 miles on 55 streams are managed under the "delayed harvest, artificial lures only" program, meaning anglers can keep three legal-sized trout between June 15 and Labor Day. Fishing with bait is prohibited.

Anglers who like the program were pleased the commission left it as is.

"I think the value of these areas are reflected in the results of the public comment," said Padraic Farrell, who moderates an Internet discussion board on fly fishing in Pennsylvania.

Commission spokesman Dan Tredinnick said the issue drew more comment than any other proposal the commission had considered. Chislo said far more people favored the change, but lamented the apathy of those who didn't submit comment.

Because the delayed harvest, artificial lures-only program allows fish to be kept, it shouldn't matter if anglers use bait, Chislo said.

Farrell said not every angler who fishes the program's waters uses bait or keeps fish.

Traditional Anglers of Pennsylvania ultimately wants all special regulations done away with. Other angling restrictions include areas that allow only fly fishing or don't allow fish to be kept. The state stocks trout on about 4,700 miles of streams.

Chislo has said that the regulations are discriminatory and create a "country club atmosphere" because they prevent some anglers from fishing those streams. But those who favor special regulations say anyone can fish them; they simply must use certain types of tackle.