Is it the fourth Saturday of April already?

Buzzy · Apr 20, 2024

No, it's the third Saturday.

My wife and I like to park along the "dead end" road beside the east shore of Park Lake; lots of wildflowers, birds and no cars in that gated off old road. It's a pleasant place to walk, enjoy nature and get a little exercise. Today we spotted five rigs parked along Blue Lake with perhaps 20 anglers fishing. I spotted three people fishing Park Lake. I think DFW's poaching hotline no longer exists and I can't quite see dialing 9-1-1 to report a family fishing illegally.

Ignorance of the regs or disreagard for the law?

Josh · Apr 20, 2024

Ignorance of the regs or disreagard for the law?

I could see it just being confusion. Thinking that the third Sat in April was the opener or something. It's not like the WDFW regs are simple to understand.

I think DFW's poaching hotline no longer exists and I can't quite see dialing 9-1-1 to report a family fishing illegally.

Up in my neck of the woods they say to call 911 and ask for fish and wildlife. Always seemed a little odd to me.

Josh · Apr 20, 2024

All that said, I can understand the urge to fish. I can't wait until I can hit my local lake next week.

ffb · Apr 20, 2024

Buzzy said:
No, it's the third Saturday.

My wife and I like to park along the "dead end" road beside the east shore of Park Lake; lots of wildflowers, birds and no cars in that gated of old road. It's a pleasant place to walk, enjoy nature and get a little exercise. Today we spotted five rigs parked along Blue Lake with perhaps 20 anglers fishing. I spotted three people fishing Park Lake. I think DFW's poaching hotline no longer exists and I can't quite see dialing 9-1-1 to report a family fishing illegally.

Ignorance of the regs or disreagard for the law?

I've used the text option before and got a response.

Zak · Apr 20, 2024

Josh said:
All that said, I can understand the urge to fish. I can't wait until I can hit my local lake next week.

Same same!

_WW_ · Apr 20, 2024

Bust 'em! Kids need to learn early.

RCF · Apr 20, 2024

Join them and show them how it is done...

tombraider · Apr 20, 2024

Joke, Martha today had bobber and worm fest. I've talked to folks and game folks many times on this place to much. When it gets planted it will be busy. They need to change the rules there.

Northern · Apr 20, 2024

Perhaps April opener lakes should not appear on stocking reports prior to the opener

RCF · Apr 20, 2024

Northern said:
Perhaps April opener lakes should not appear on stocking reports prior to the opener

Opening Day is a favorite past time, holiday, for taking the kids out. Not knowing where the stockers are available could impact a successful time out...

Northern · Apr 20, 2024

RCF said:
Opening Day is a favorite past time, holiday, for taking the kids out. Not knowing where the stockers are available could impact a successful time out...

True. So maybe post them all on the last Tues before. That would at least reduce the penultimate weekend poaching numbers.

On a related note: We actually had F&G show up and glass us in our kayaks (while they lurked in brush cover near the ramp, lol) last Tues on a YR lake, then check my buddy's license & gear when she landed to use the facilities. She was hesitant to land because she didn't know who the f*** was watching us from the bushes!

Buzzy · Apr 20, 2024

ffb said:
View attachment 111443

I've used the text option before and got a response.

Thanks for this. Reading your response I decided to look at the updated app on my phone, low and behold it's easy to find how to contact enforcement.

I texted a local DFW biologist, he reported the violations. That was my work around as 9-1-1 seemed too far out there.//Pat

tombraider · Apr 20, 2024

Couldn't wait to see it Thursday before in the paper.

Shawn Seeger · Apr 21, 2024

I have used the "text" a tip numerous times, sometimes it works sometimes not... but at last I did what could.

Thanks Buzzy

BDD · Apr 21, 2024

I fished a lake in OK county Friday and Saturday (one I told you about a few years ago Buzzy). I have been fishing this lake for a number of years; it used to be no gas motors but I have not looked at the regulations for awhile. As I was loading my boat, I saw a family launching theirs with a 10 HP Merc on the back. I did not say anything because I was not sure he was actually going to use it and not knowing if the rule had changed, I nodded and politely smiled at the group. There were five of them and by the time they got all loaded in a 12 foot jon boat there was not much freeboard it looked like it was going to be a complete cluster. Of course the guy started yanking on the cord and it eventually started. Within 10 seconds one kid dropped a rod over the side and they circled back around to get it; I still don't understand why it did not sink? Anyway I got home and read the regs; still no gas motors. I missed out on a teaching opportunity but in a way, I guess I'm glad I did not say anything. I think they probably had enough trouble I did not need to add more. And we are still a week away from opening day!

Buzzy · Apr 21, 2024

BDD said:
I fished a lake in OK county Friday and Saturday (one I told you about a few years ago Buzzy). I have been fishing this lake for a number of years; it used to be no gas motors but I have not looked at the regulations for awhile. As I was loading my boat, I saw a family launching theirs with a 10 HP Merc on the back. I did not say anything because I was not sure he was actually going to use it and not knowing if the rule had changed, I nodded and politely smiled at the group. There were five of them and by the time they got all loaded in a 12 foot jon boat there was not much freeboard it looked like it was going to be a complete cluster. Of course the guy started yanking on the cord and it eventually started. Within 10 seconds one kid dropped a rod over the side and they circled back around to get it; I still don't understand why it did not sink? Anyway I got home and read the regs; still no gas motors. I missed out on a teaching opportunity but in a way, I guess I'm glad I did not say anything. I think they probably had enough trouble I did not need to add more. And we are still a week away from opening day!

Dave - It must be nice to have such a good memory! I remember we talked about a lake up there but darned if I remember the name (no hotspotting). Speaking of which OK county, we had a picnic along the Okanogan in Okanogan today. Windy but sunny.

BriGuy · Apr 21, 2024

BDD said:
I fished a lake in OK county Friday and Saturday (one I told you about a few years ago Buzzy). I have been fishing this lake for a number of years; it used to be no gas motors but I have not looked at the regulations for awhile. As I was loading my boat, I saw a family launching theirs with a 10 HP Merc on the back. I did not say anything because I was not sure he was actually going to use it and not knowing if the rule had changed, I nodded and politely smiled at the group. There were five of them and by the time they got all loaded in a 12 foot jon boat there was not much freeboard it looked like it was going to be a complete cluster. Of course the guy started yanking on the cord and it eventually started. Within 10 seconds one kid dropped a rod over the side and they circled back around to get it; I still don't understand why it did not sink? Anyway I got home and read the regs; still no gas motors. I missed out on a teaching opportunity but in a way, I guess I'm glad I did not say anything. I think they probably had enough trouble I did not need to add more. And we are still a week away from opening day!

Was anyone, especially the kids, wearing a PFD?

JudyM · Apr 21, 2024

This reminds me of the fishermen on North Fork Reservoir (Clackamas River) when the pellet heads were dropped by ODFW a week before the trout opener. I knew of a State Trooper that lived past North Fork. He told me that he was aware of the trout opener and took his citation book with him going home. If anyone there were fishing right after the release of trout, but not the opener, he would stop and issue citations. Also, on the way to work, anybody that would be fishing was granted with a citation. Oregon does not publish when the trout are exactly released anymore. I have not been that way since the big forest fire in 2020 because it is too painful. But maybe this year.....all hatchery trout are adipose clipped. Opens May 22 to October 31. 5 trout per day. BTW, the wild fish that go beyond MP32 are outpopulating the hatchery brats.

Roper · Apr 21, 2024

Buzzy said:
No, it's the third Saturday.

My wife and I like to park along the "dead end" road beside the east shore of Park Lake; lots of wildflowers, birds and no cars in that gated off old road. It's a pleasant place to walk, enjoy nature and get a little exercise. Today we spotted five rigs parked along Blue Lake with perhaps 20 anglers fishing. I spotted three people fishing Park Lake. I think DFW's poaching hotline no longer exists and I can't quite see dialing 9-1-1 to report a family fishing illegally.

Ignorance of the regs or disreagard for the law?

Little if any play by the rules these days…