Where can I fish?

[justin.garner2]

Title kinda sums it up. What rivers can I fish in now? All I hear is hearsay that they're closed. Where does it state that they are closed? Really confused.

[Toni]

The regulations are out in paper form now or you can download them form the WDFW website. I know the Cowlitz is open for salmon and steelhead. I think parts of the Columbia but other than that...that is all I know.

Generally most rivers open up June 1st or the first Sat. in June for trout. Others will open later for Salmon.
Again you need to see what rivers you are interested in and see what the regulations say.

[Anonymous]

Title kinda sums it up. What rivers can I fish in now? All I hear is hearsay that they're closed. Where does it state that they are closed? Really confused.

I know that you are new to WA. via Kansas, and you posted that you had called the WDFW etc. and asked where you could fish... but seriously all you need to do is read the regs. for any river, lake, etc. that you are interested in. Absolutely don't take any bodies advice or word on what is open or closed to fishing. (That being said... Toni means well and is a good example of someone who I think follows the rules) But what I am saying is that it is all printed in the regs. and they can change at any time, so that is where to get your info. I absolutely wouldn't take the advice of someone over the phone at the WDFW.... who knows how informed this person is, or what their role in the writing of the regs is.

Washington state does have some of the most convoluted regulations that I know of. But it's all there for the reading...... and after all that you can wonder about how to interpret it, LOL. Bookmark it on your computer:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/2009/2009sportregs.pdf

And then carry a copy in your tackle box. If you are fishing a river, it is guaranteed to have different regs. for different points along the river. It's all do-able. Good job in the fact that you care enough to want to do it right.

[Anonymous]

Title kinda sums it up. What rivers can I fish in now? All I hear is hearsay that they're closed. Where does it state that they are closed? Really confused.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/2009/2009sportregs.pdf

And then carry a copy in your tackle box. If you are fishing a river, it is guaranteed to have different regs. for different points along the river. It's all do-able. Good job in the fact that you care enough to want to do it right.

Quadfather those are last years regs.

The stores that sell fishing licenses will have them. I find the paper one easier to read than online and this year they changed how to look up rivers. Since you are new this won't bother you but what will, is the way you can fish on some rivers. the rules can change from river to river on whether you can have one hook or two, barbed or not, fishing at night or not. That is why I said to find the river you wanted to see if it is open and what you can do.

The Cowlitz river is open and people have been catching salmon and steelhead at Barrier dam and Blue Creek. Here is a link that tells you about the launches on the Cowlitz River. http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/C ... unches.htm


2010 http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regs_seasons.html

[justin.garner2]

Thanks guys for the replies. I hate to seem like such a moron on this subject, it's just that rules and regs concerning fishing are something completely new to me. Also new to me is lakes being SURROUNDED homes and public shore fisherman have very limited room to fish. Back home you drive down a dirt road find yourself some water and drop a line in. Rules are: pick up after yourself and don't do wrong to the game fish. It's gonna take some adjusting to I guess.


CAVEAT TO ORIGINAL POST

If anybody enjoys "tag-a-longs" (i.e. a young married couple that loves to fish) when they go fishing, please contact me someway somehow. We are very eager to learn new fishing techniques. We are new to the trout/salmon game and have a little experience as far as bass go. We are expert catfishermen as well. We are available Weekends and Evenings throughout the week. Call/Text me at (785) 383-5522, e-mail me at justin.garner2@hotmail.com, or just pm me here. WE WILL FISH FOR ANY FISH!!!! WE JUST WANT SOMETHING ON OUR HOOK BESIDES OUR BAIT AND UNDERWATER VEGETATION!!!!

[natenez]

What I did when I got into fishing up here was used an internet map web site (I like maps.live.com because of the "birds eye" view). I then started around places where I live, work, etc..

When I saw a lake I'd figure out its name (normally it shows on the map, but sometimes you have to infer from road names). Then I'd look it up:
* In the regs to figure out when it was open, etc...
* In the lake index on this site to read past reports & a bit about the lakes

Then armed with that information I'd hit a different one each time I went out. Back then I was shore bound, so sometimes I got to the lake and found limited shore access. So I found it was good to have a close backup planned, or focus on lakes where reports said people were fishing from shore or had a park on them.

As I was doing this I would meet fellow anglers and talk with them. They would sometimes mention other lakes they liked.

Eventually I got a set of favorite lakes I like to go to, and have learned the patterns to the fish so I know where to cast, how long a leader at what times of day, etc...

For rivers I did much the same thing. Looked on the map for likely spots. Talked with fellow anglers, & tackle shop workers. Drive down roads next to rivers and stop and look when I saw what looked like a trail or other cars parked.

I even went out w/ a guide on a local river and told him I wanted to learn places I could come back and fish from shore. So he would point out spots & I'd record them in my GPS & then figure out how to get back to that spot from shore when I got home.

You really didn't mention where you are, so you made it hard for people to name specific locations. Around what city are you looking to fish at?

[natenez]

And then carry a copy in your tackle box.

If you can't find a hardcopy at your local tackle store then just e-mail the "questions" address for WDFW and ask they mail you a hardcopy (or 2 or 3). (Don't forget your address)

About a week later it will arrive in the mail.

I always have a copy w/ me when fishing (keep it in the tackle box & boat) and make sure to review the regs when I go to any place that isn't one of my "standards"

Enjoy

[justin.garner2]

Thanks for your response nate. Pretty much everything you said in your first post is what I do. I normally have the reg book in my car and I always have the one I downloaded to my laptop.

I'm in Olympia.