WDFW closes sportfishing statewide ***UPDATED***

[hewesfisher]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/covid-19-updates

Fishing and Shellfishing

- Fishing and shellfishing seasons: Beginning at midnight March 25 and lasting until at least 5 p.m. on April 8, WDFW is closing recreational fishing and shellfishing statewide in response to the governor’s order to ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ and limit the spread of coronavirus.
- Razor clams: Planned razor clam digs have been cancelled until further notice.
- Catch record cards: Return via mail or hold onto them until you are safe to drop off.
- Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Check Stations: AIS check stations are still active, and WDFW staff are inspecting watercraft for invasive species.

[MGTom]

I hope they are right about the early April date, but I'm not holding my breath (haha?). This is driving me crazy as I was fishing 2-3 days a weeks, and now I've been holed up 2 weeks now (started early). I feel in the long run we're doing the right thing, and there will be lots of fishing to come. I bet the first few days will be a zoo, like openers of old!

[ruthven78]

today they extended the closure to May 4th

[hewesfisher]

Let's HOPE it doesn't get extended again.

[KevinS]

Closure extended through May 4th - no recreational fishing, shell fishing, and some hunting postponed.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/fishing-shellf ... -postponed

[hewesfisher]

Some people are ignoring the closure, talked to a buddy yesterday and at least two bank anglers at Roosevelt, one near Seven Bays, got personal attention from enforcement.

[hewesbob]

Read on another forum that two guys fishing Lake Chelan yesterday got a visit from the game agents, on yet another forum there was a guy saying he was fishing today from Spring Canyon (Lake Roosevelt) and he made the comment "Come Get Me". These are the kind of people that will be responsible for the next closure extension if one happens.

[weld22]

I'm afraid so. There were a couple boats out in front of Hunters yesterday. I did envy them, but not enough to chance it.

[hewesfisher]

The state doesn't have the resources to police every body of water in the state so it will happen. I hope those who flaunt the law get the same punishment any poacher would because they are poaching since fishing is closed.

Although I strongly disagree with the broad brush closure action, and see no issue in fishing large bodies of water conflicting with "social distancing", I'm still following the "rules" just as I do every time I'm on the water.

[Sideburns]

I think that the travel aspect is the biggest issue behind the complete ban. Ive seen a few solo fisherman in local ponds. Although it kinda frustrates me, It would be a shame to punish these harmless, discrete rule breakers.

[Amx]

It's my understanding, from what they said on the news and posted on the channel 4 news' website, that the fish and wildlife dept. closed fishing because of the shoulder to shoulder people fishing the rivers. And lake fishing wasn't even mentioned in the report, but lake fishing was closed anyway. As was crab fishing.

[Sideburns]

Northwest Outdoors Radio’s John Kruse interview with Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind on the reasons behind the fishing shutdown

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files ... losure.mp3

This 12 minute audio clip is posted to the wdfw covid19 page. The interviewer seemed to hit the wdfw director with many of the comments and questions I would have.... worth a listen anyhow.

[weld22]

Thanks for the link. It still didn't explain how we are elbow to elbow at Costco, but yet being in the middle of a lake is bad.

[Aaron]

In my mind it's about reducing vectors of possible infection.

Getting gas.
Getting snacks.
Getting bait.
Getting gear.
Flat tire. No spare. Need a tow or AAA.
Get in an accident.

It's not about being in the middle of a lake, it's all the steps to BEING in the middle of the lake that a lot of people need to do before getting there. Not everyone is 100% prepared to just go straight to the lake. Th'ere quite a bit of interaction involved in getting there for those that aren't prepared.

I want to go fishing. I don't *need* to go fishing.

[fisherman92]

How come there are many boat launches still openly operating for pleasure boats but if you cast a pole out your breaking the law? Seems pleasure boating is much more of a social activity to me... a few photos of a fishery or two being crowded dictates the law for all fisheries in the state? Ridiculous. I'm glad the fisherman had a protest in Richland this weekend. More power to em!

[Sideburns]

This is a much longer interview with the wdfw director. As annoyed as I am at the wdfw sometimes, I have a hard time condemning the decision that they made.

Northwest Passages Virtual Forum: WDFW Director Kelly Susewind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q4GuYl ... e=youtu.be

[hewesfisher]

WDFW to open some fishing and public lands May 5th - https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/covid-19-updates

Link to public lands "day use" info is on same page under "News".

[tooboocoo]

I see that they are still planning to hold the Big Bass Tournament on Potholes on May 8th. I don't see how they can do that with the ban on overnight camping and restricted travel.

[Lambojac]

I don't see why they don't just open it back up immediately? They allowed construction to continue on the same day that they announced its opening, and it has harsher restrictions on the rules. This weekend is going to be tough to not get out and "poach"...