I can tell you that maybe 5% of recreational fishing cases are ever prosecuted. Almost every guy that shows up at arraignment the State does a Bail Forfeiture, which is basically no contest and the defendant pays $109 to $250. The only guys that don't take the BF are those the take there case to trial because the game warden was actually wrong when they wrote the citation. My take is that we do not need more regulations, we need fish and game to do their jobs and the State to prosecute these crimes. If I ruled the world I would make these civil citations and any one who gets more then one citation in less then five years loses the ability to get a fishing license. If you are caught fishing without a license then maybe throw that back in the criminal courts.

Just so very one is clear...

RCW 77.15.370
Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree if:

(a) The person takes, possesses, or retains two times or more than the bag limit or possession limit of fish or shellfish allowed by any rule of the director or commission setting the amount of food fish, game fish, or shellfish that can be taken, possessed, or retained for noncommercial use;

(b) The person fishes in a fishway;

(c) The person shoots, gaffs, snags, snares, spears, dipnets, or stones fish or shellfish in state waters, or possesses fish or shellfish taken by such means, unless such means are authorized by express rule of the commission or director; or

(d) The person fishes for or possesses a fish listed as threatened or endangered in 50 C.F.R. Sec. 17.11 (2002), unless fishing for or possession of such fish is specifically allowed under federal or state law.

(2) Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor.

RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree — (1) A person is guilty of unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree if the person fishes for, takes, possesses, or harvests fish or shellfish and:

(a) The person does not have and possess the license or the catch record card required by chapter 77.32 RCW for such activity; or

(b) The action violates any rule of the commission or the director regarding seasons, bag or possession limits but less than two times the bag or possession limit, closed areas, closed times, or any other rule addressing the manner or method of fishing or possession of fish, except for use of a net to take fish as provided for in RCW 77.15.580.

(2) Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree is a misdemeanor.