I make it a practice to always have multiple copies of the regs. and periodically log on to Dept. of Fisheries site to look at any changes to them as they effect any oportunities that I may have.

I keep a copy in my glove box, in the Magazine rack next to the stool and also make sure that my fishing buddies have at least a few copies for their own reading pleasure. Claiming to not know does not work with Mr. G W.

A few years ago I encountered a G W that was sure that I was in the wrong for retaining a Silver. He was ready to write me up until I insisted that he research a current change to the written reg.

A fishing license does not give anyone the right to aimlessly disregard the written guidelines. Take a little time to not only learn to fish but fully understand the regs. for any given bodies of water that you fish.

FJ...out

Good post FJ. I am one of the lazy reg readers, and often rely on newspaper columns and the fishing BBs to read about significant changes to fishing regs. Better to just put in the time, instead of doing time.

Some of the material is pretty hard to understand. Trying to find out if you can fish, C&R, for Chum in the upper Skagit. Regs don't clearly indicate, no one I asked was quite sure. Finally e-mailed Program Fish Management. They indicated "Anything that is legal to keep you may do catch and release with." Not sure how you could have gotten that out of the regs.

OnTheSauk looks like its closed for salmon in the upper Skagit upstream from the mouth of the Cascade. You can legally cnr for Trout and other gamefish but not salmon.

Gooose

Onthesauk,
If you think the regs today are complicated you should look at the regs about 4 years ago. There were 2 books you had to have. One covered all freshwater stuff except for salmon. For that you needed to consult the marine and salmon reg book. Most of us just need to take the time to read the general rules section in the front then consult the section pertaining to the river we choose to fish. You mention the Skagit. I believe the Skagit is only open for salmon upto Gilligan Creek. If you are parked on a hole above Gilligan Creek loaded with chums and are targeting them, even C&R you are targeting a closed species and thus illegal. Same thing on the Snohomish with guy's pounding the kings(a closed species)and claiming to fish steelhead. Right! Same thing with the folks fishing the Sultan river C&R chums-Illegal! Do consult the WDFW website on a regular basis. Changes will be posted there prior to word being put out to the field officers or posted on your local fishing hole. Print a copy of the reg change and carry it with you.
This is not directed at you by the way. Just some general observations.

Good luck and tight lines.

In washington I use the regs and the openers on this link(regs are also on this link)

http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/regs/fishregs.htm

Also a gazateer will be helpful

regards Mike K