Just in case you're interested Mike, you accepted a post about two weeks ago from someone fishing a closed lake. It's still there.

I checked with the park ranger who used to be in charge of the camping area on the lake to see if the rules were changed. He said Silver Lake up in Whatcom county was still an end of April opener.

For those who are interested the lake is supposed to get a plant of around 17K rainbows in preparation for the opener.

I'll be up there for the opener for two reasons. One, I get to fish with that park ranger who is also a hunting partner. Other reason is they have a nice pancake feed at the park. Not sure if it's an "all you can eat" feed as I practice moderation there also.

Even though the pancake "limit" may be as many as you want, I still limit myself to only 3. Also, I keep the first 3 placed on my plate. I don't cull them until I get the 3 biggest pancakes. But that is a very interesting thought!!

What are you doing,grading your pancakes? Jim S. :p

I thought about that Jim as I was writing it...and after a while didn't think it was all that bad.

yeah.. might just grade the pancakes... but I'll stop after I keep 3.

OK, Stifler, you win. I have no credibility and make up facts just to support my selfish arguments. Happy now?

TD,

Don't give up. There are those who argue about anything.

In the old days they didn't believe:

The earth was round
The earth was not the center of the universe
old fishing reports don't exist in the archives

Now most people accept the earth as mostly round.. earth is not the center of the universe, nor our solar system... but some still can't access old data.

I expect some "discussion" on my remark that barbless hooks are better than barbed hooks for bringing trout to the net.

To be honest, I didn't understand the rule for years. I used to think 'grading' was OK, as long as the fish was not hooked badly. And I considered myself a law abiding citezen. I just really thought that I could c&r, picking the ones that probably wouldn't make it (not based on size really) until I had 5 fish in my possession. Now I know better. But I think the regs should state in beg letters "NO C&R WHEN USING BAIT".

PP,
I agree whole heartedly, It is only stated in one sentence in the freshwater reg, section, and blends in to well. I have already suggested to Stace that in the future it be in BOLD. Also I suggested that it be placed on the WDFW web site where it can be viewed by all. And I know "ignorance is no excuse" and these suggestions are to help inform ALL bait fishers. Not everyone blatantly ignores the laws, they maybe just don't know they exist. This is not an excuse, just possibly a reason.
Banock

Absolutely. The reg is not well-known to all fisherfolks. Possibly signs at public boat launches and fishing docks reminding folks of this often overlooked rule.

ZL - thanks for the backup and having the wisdom to realize my point.

I like barbless hooks a lot. If you have ever got a hook stuck in you that is barbed,it is no fun getting it out.
I got one hook fron a spinner stuck in my belly and I had to go and find a doctor to get it out. If it had been barbless I could have got it out myself.
A barbed hook holds better in a fish,where a barbless one has a tendency to move around. But to take a hook out of a fish the barb sometimes also takes out parts of the fish.
I just wish all of the hooks that we tie flies with were barbless. That way you wouldn't have to keep pinching down the barbs.
Well enough of this. Jim S.

Zen,
I'll have to note that lake is closed - Silver on Whatcom, right? I hope everyone understands that there is no way I can be checking every single post I get for reg violations. I do rely on the readers to alert me if there is something wrong in a post. I will then make note of it. I try to catch as much stuff as I can, and that includes the previous examples that were posted. That's also why I have that disclaimer on the site - people need to be aware of the regs for the body of water they are fishing on.