May be we can resolve the snagging issue once and for all. I am sure many of you already knew this but here it goes.

I spoke with someone in WDFW legal services about snagging and this is what I was told:

Snagging fish intentionally is illegal in any (Salt/Fresh) water.

Salt water:
In salt water if you have a fish with snagged marks on the body, you are legal but not in fresh water. My comments: I think in salt water they give you the benefit of the doubt that you were not intentionally snagging.

Fresh water:
If you are not intentionally snagging and have a fish which is hooked gill-plate forward (he used the term "head" also) including under the mouth, you are legal. Body shots are out of question.

I think Dave Jackson summarized it very well in "snagged fish on the cover" thread (2/01/02). He wrote:

"This discussion in the past has come up with one clear fact: the Washington angling laws have a loophole that allows someone to potentially floss a fish or snag it in the head (if there is a difference) as long as the hook hits the gill-plate or forward. This does not mean that a game officer cannot give you a ticket if the officer feels that you tried to snag (or floss) the fish. And that doesn't mean that you cannot be pissed about it either way."

When I asked about the definition of "snagging" on page 13 of WDFW sport fishing rules which clearly indicates "hook(s) must be in the mouth", he added that sometimes in the process of taking your lure, the fish is hooked outside the mouth (due to hook set and other timing related issues) and they allow that as long as it is gill-plate forward but he would not call it a "loophole".

Following is my comment only:
"Pitch Pocket" also had it right. If you are not intentionally snagging and happen to hook a fish gill-plate forward you are legal but if an enforcement officer is watching you and he disagrees with you then it will be a legal battle and ....

Another comment:
Also flossing or lining is not "voluntarily taking the lure" so it is ILLIGAL in the mouth or outside the mouth. If you do it and get away with it is not the issue here. I am just posting what I learned based on my discussion with him.

I don't want to post the contact person's name and phone number in case he gets flooded with phone calls. He was very nice and took time to explain things. If you need the name and phone number send me a private message. I forgot to ask him about posting his name and phone number and he may not like that. Look at previous "snagging" threads and you may find his name. Thasnks to "Pitch Pocket".