My Brain Hurts ...

[Parasite]

Just got done reading the fishing & hunting regs ... me being new to Washington and all. Now my brain hurts. Who writes these books? PETA attorneys? Sheesh. Some of it I still dont understand, the rest I'll just have to read over & over. Do new residents get one free get out of jail card?

[Mtnwalker]

Don’t feel bad, many of the LEOs enforcing them don’t even fully understand them. Wa loves grey area

[Stein]

Don't worry if you don't understand them today, they will change before you go out.  Check the Emergency Rules section of the website as well as the girthy errata.

[nwwanderer]

Welcome to Washington

[Skyvalhunter]

Just so you know if LEO pulls you over they will make sure all your T's are crossed then they will check with PETA, CNW, SIERRA CLUB and any other leaf licking group.

[ASHQUACK]

And don't forget to ask any questions that you may have on the internet. Lots and lots of spot on information there.

[blackpowderhunter]

what are you most confused about?  post up questions here and people will help answer.
you don't want to be guessing with regards to regs....

[Parasite]

what are you most confused about?  post up questions here and people will help answer.
you don't want to be guessing with regards to regs....

This one has me totally confused.

[Stein]

what are you most confused about?  post up questions here and people will help answer.
you don't want to be guessing with regards to regs....

This one has me totally confused.

WDFW will implement depth restrictions.  You can't fish deeper that the depth they set.  It also happens for some types of shrimp, bottomfish and probably some other things.

[Magnum_Willys]

what are you most confused about?  post up questions here and people will help answer.
you don't want to be guessing with regards to regs....

This one has me totally confused.

so can't fish in water deeper than 20 fathoms ?   20 or 30?  I can see why you are confused !

[Stein]

what are you most confused about?  post up questions here and people will help answer.
you don't want to be guessing with regards to regs....

This one has me totally confused.

so can't fish in water deeper than 20 fathoms ?   20 or 30?  I can see why you are confused !

When depth restrictions are in place, they will specify the depth.  Here is an example:

Marine Area 7 East: Reopens for recreational coonstripe and pink shrimp fishing (only) with a 200-foot maximum fishing depth restriction. Open daily. All spot shrimp caught must be returned to the water immediately.

[The Marquis]

Fishing in Washington, if you do fresh, salt and shellfish, it can really be gripping.  You'll spend your whole year just engrossed in fishing... half of which is just to understand the regulations of where you'll be fishing, then the other half fishing so much just based on the seeming need to make all of that work in understanding the rules to feel like they were worth the time. 

Have you looked at the Columbia River rules yet?  Those are a great read. 

[Stein]

Fishing in Washington, if you do fresh, salt and shellfish, it can really be gripping.  You'll spend your whole year just engrossed in fishing... half of which is just to understand the regulations of where you'll be fishing, then the other half fishing so much just based on the seeming need to make all of that work in understanding the rules to feel like they were worth the time. 

Have you looked at the Columbia River rules yet?  Those are a great read.

You forgot the part about trying to figure out if you have all the licenses and endorsements needed to partake in the particular activity you are relatively certain happens to be open using the methods that hopefully are within the limits of the law.

It is worth it though, incredible fishing opportunities in this state even with the huge problems that are out there.

[The Marquis]

Fishing in Washington, if you do fresh, salt and shellfish, it can really be gripping.  You'll spend your whole year just engrossed in fishing... half of which is just to understand the regulations of where you'll be fishing, then the other half fishing so much just based on the seeming need to make all of that work in understanding the rules to feel like they were worth the time. 

Have you looked at the Columbia River rules yet?  Those are a great read.

You forgot the part about trying to figure out if you have all the licenses and endorsements needed to partake in the particular activity you are relatively certain happens to be open using the methods that hopefully are within the limits of the law.

It is worth it though, incredible fishing opportunities in this state even with the huge problems that are out there.

Oh, yes, I certainly forgot, because you need to make sure there aren't biotoxins in the shellfish at any given beach on any given day (though I'm not going to complain about this one, I like that there is a map).  Razor clam days.  Hahahaha.  I mean, it's a full time job just to recreate.

[WSU]

Unfortunately, the other alternative is less opportunity because more closures will be necessary.  Like said, it can be confusing at first but there is a reason for the complexity.

[snake]

Washington is notorious for making laws to keep you from breaking a law that is already in place. Also their answer for overcrowding of areas is to close more area down thinking that will help instead of opening more area.  with that being said, if you work your butt off and put in lots of time this state really does have a lot to offer. Between salmon fishing, salt water fishing and crabbing, elk, deer, and bear hunting just to name a few.