May 4th opener

[Shooter4]

If there opening some construction dontcha think hunting and fishing is more of an isolated action and if so i think they will lift it may 4th whats everyone's thoughts they meet next wednesday!

[The scout]

Inslee is going to drag the fishing and hunting shut down as long as he can. It already should be open, what will be different may 4th?

[jrebel]

Inslee is going to drag the fishing and hunting shut down as long as he can. It already should be open, what will be different may 4th?

I 100% agree with both statements and am 50/50 to whether it opens or not.  If it doesn't open, WDFW, State Reps, Inslee and everyone else I can get a hold of will get an ear full.  This has got to end....and should have ended a couple weeks ago. 

[MADMAX]

If they do open halibut fishing
At least it will be during the worst tides
As always

[The scout]

  I have a feeling when it does open they will act like they did us a huge favor, as shrimping, halibut fishing, lowland lakes, turkey hunting and spring bear open all at the same time. I wish for one I had the balls and 2 didn’t have so much family here to move outta this state.

[Shooter4]

there is no reason they shouldnt open it up now

[baldopepper]

I'm betting they open lowland fishing, maybe turkeys and bear but don't think we'll be hitting the salt water for a long while (maybe August) Too much record keeping on the halibut, they don't want the usual checkers at dockside, charter boats would be hard pressed to keep social distancing and the tribes don't seem anxious to let outsiders into Neah or LaPush yet. Hope I'm wrong, but that's what I'm sniffing out

[hunter399]

Did any of you watch his speech today on construction?
He said he would make an anouncement on outdoor recreation in a few days.
Now what exactly will open,what will stay closed,travel restriction,or any type of restriction nobody knows.

[Stein]

Man, carving it up would sure be a task and one guaranteed to lose WDFW even more trust.  Forgetting that other rec should be closed, as soon as you open nonessential stuff they should just open it up.  If it makes sense to expose people for stuff like bowling and going to the gym, it makes sense to have a regular fishing season.  My position is that all recreation should be treated equally, open or closed with special regulations for indoor stuff obviously.

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm betting they open lowland fishing, maybe turkeys and bear but don't think we'll be hitting the salt water for a long while (maybe August) Too much record keeping on the halibut, they don't want the usual checkers at dockside, charter boats would be hard pressed to keep social distancing and the tribes don't seem anxious to let outsiders into Neah or LaPush yet. Hope I'm wrong, but that's what I'm sniffing out

But how difficult would it be to get one of those fold out tables and have a big piece of plexiglass on it so the checker could be protected from fishermen at the ramp?  Or have them wear a mask/require the fishermen to have a mask on during fish checking?  It's outdoors, so even that would be more than required.  Maybe they have some plan to get it open.

[Curly]

They should open all fishing asap (with the rule that anglers must distance themselves unless their fishing partner is someone they live with). Sure, that leaves out most guides and charter boats but so what. It's the right thing to do.

[jrebel]

They should open all fishing asap (with the rule that anglers must distance themselves unless their fishing partner is someone they live with). Sure, that leaves out most guides and charter boats but so what. It's the right thing to do.

Or just open all fishing and say if you want to do a charter knowing the risk.....so be it, that is your choice. 

[TriggerMike]

Don't get your hopes up. I can see him opening trailheads and DNR land for hiking on May 4th but wouldn't be surprised if he keeps hunting and fishing closed. He probably sees it as punishing the "protesters".

[WSU]

Just open it.  I don't see how you can exclude charters because people might not be 6 feet apart but open all the other business where people might not be 6 feet apart. 

[duckmen1]

As of now it appears fishing is open. Oh wait its just the ignorant people fishing during a closure while the rest stay home. Saw 7 people bank fishing and a bass boat coming back into the launch today. Totally sucks for the people missing out while others take advantage of the potential lack of pressure to get good fishing.