Requirements for lights

[Mossy]

I did a little digging to try and find what lights I need on my boat at night and it sounds like if you're boat is under like 19 feet then I don't have to have the bow or stern light as long as I'm not anchored in a channel or high traffic area. Does that sound right? I think I heard you have to at least have some sort of flashlight handy to make your presence known if the need arrises.

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

Buy a set of clamp on boat lights that run off flashlight batteries. They c-clamp on. They should still be marketed.

[dilbert]

All motorized boats need lights when underway between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain. That exemttion you are talking about is when you are not underway or are non-motorized and less than 23'.

http://www.boat-ed.com/wa/handbook/lights.htm

Get the LED clamp on lights like Cabela's has. They use AA batteries and last MUCH longer.

[EastsideRedneck]

Does motorized refer to Gas only or those of use with trolling motors as well?

In addition to the flashlight make sure you have a coast guard approved whistle.

[dilbert]

from the Washington Boaters Handbook: "Non-motorized vessels are sailboats or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed."

Sounds like trolling motors count as a motor.

[A9]

I'd put the green/red bow lights on and attach the lighted pole on the stern if you plan on going out at night or early morning. I remember all the idiots out there at 4:30 am on Lake Washington during Sockeye season who we almost hit cause they not only had no lights on their boats but also fished in areas where boats would be motoring through at fast speeds and to move to different areas. Better to be safe then sorry.

[Mossy]

Well, I do plan on doing some night fishing next year but this is more for duck hunting. For years we never had any lights on my buddy's boat and no one else did, just head lamps and spot lights for navigation.

[EastsideRedneck]

Are there any lakes even open for night fishing in King County other than Washington and Union that don't require you to be lake resident?

[The Quadfather]

Are there any lakes even open for night fishing in King County other than Washington and Union that don't require you to be lake resident?

Not to go to far off the original thread here, but it got me to thinking..... I don't know that I've ever seen anything that said a lake was closed to "Night fishing" Can someone (Shed some light on that thought?)

thanks

[Lou]

I've also wondered about night fishing. The only reference to day/night fishing i've seen is nighttime closures on rivers when the salmon are running. I'd like to try the night cat-fishing sometime, but havn't found any info online so far.


-Lou

[Mossy]

The only place I've seen where night fishing wasn't allowed was when I was stationed in oregon and also during salmon runs. Fished many lakes over the years on the eastside at night, it's legal.