Stay at Home Order: Fishing Thoughts...?

[Oldbayrunner]

DNR states it pretty clear.... "Subsistence hunting and fishing — limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance — can continue, however social distancing must be adhered to strictly. "

It's up to us to determine our purpose and adhere to what's written.

[ronaultmtd]

As vague as “such as” implies, the level of subjective enforcement By law enforcement, arguing with police that a fishing kayak is not a “recreational boat,” getting a ticket that carries a $5K fine and possible one year prison...makes me say “nope” not going to chance it...needs to be in black and white before I gamble with my freedom..

[mi327]

From the Governors order:

""Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running,
or biking, but only in compliance with paragraph III below and applicable
social distancing guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health""

Kayaking fits right in there with the "Such As"

I have a feeling it will be by the interpretation of the officer you run into and what they determine. I have been trying to track down an email for the park serivice/ NRP email so I can get something in writing on how they will rule on that. I would call but I want a paper trail for it.

Until I see what is going to happen or if it is allowed I am staying off the water, I don't want to chance it.

[HJS]

Once again I checked the MD state Park website and they are still saying, for the most part, that MD State Parks are still open with exception that all State Park beaches are close. Then they all also specifically say in print that the boat ramps are open. Why would they say that if boating/fishing was prohibited. I reeeeally don't think Park enforcement personnel will be busting chops on lone anglers fishing from a kayak. And if they do I'm pretty sure you'll just get a verbal warning. I wouldn't hesitate to go out in my canoe.

[Fish123]

Once again I checked the MD state Park website and they are still saying, for the most part, that MD State Parks are still open with exception that all State Park beaches are close. Then they all also specifically say in print that the boat ramps are open. Why would they say that if boating/fishing was prohibited. I reeeeally don't think Park enforcement personnel will be bust chops on lone anglers fishing from a kayak.

The DNR needs to come out and clear things up. The bay fishing groups are full of people throwing around most likely false info. They need to put it in black and white, not up to interpretation. It just annoys me that hiking trails are open but we can’t fish off the yak when we’re so far away from anyone else. I went out Friday and didn’t see anyone. Yesterday I only saw people fishing off the road near the launch, once on the water I didn’t see anyone else.

[HJS]

I think some of you guys are just hunt'in for a reason not to go fishing, even in a kayak. I'm sticking with what I said above. One of my life's many mottos is: If I think it's right I just go ahead and do it and if caught then beg for forgiveness. And that motto has worked for me flawlessly for 73 years.

[xtian996]

First, I've never posted before. But I've lurked for a long time and have learned a lot through the search function. So quick note of thanks to everyone thus far in my experience in this world. I promise to participate more, and currently I now have the time (as many of us do), so I will be trying to do so. Second, I'm as bummed as anyone here about all of this. I've been out a few times this year and was really looking forward to the warmer weather. At any rate, my wife and I buy a launch pass at a marina on the South River. She paddle boards, I have no idea how. I spend more time falling on those things. At any rate, what they are telling us that they are being told, and what was passed on to us is: "no paddling". Personally, I agree that all of us would be responsible and keep appropriate distancing etc. As well, I think it is a perfectly reasonable activity. However, it seems these are not reasonable times, and many folks are not responsible. To that end I think we may need to look at the spirit of the statement yesterday, not hunt for our goals in missing words: "No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes". If you fish for sustenance, it appears there is a bit of wiggle room there. I'm pretty much CNR, so I'll just organize my tackle, work on my crabbing gear, and wait patiently.

Also, I won't judge anyone that goes out. There is a part of me screaming, just throw it in the truck and go. I just wanted to share what I had heard etc. Best of luck to everyone, and stay safe out there.

[Slackdaddy]

On a moral point, I would be throwing my kayak on my truck and driving 1/4 mile to the PAX and throwing my yak in,, no different exposure than sitting in my living rm.

On a legal stand point,, I WIL NOT leave it up to an officers "Interpretation " , I will carry the Governors order with me,, it is quite clear. Outdoor exercise is allowable as long as it is in compliance with the social distancing laid out in the order.

As vague as “such as” implies, the level of subjective enforcement By law enforcement, arguing with police that a fishing kayak is not a “recreational boat,” getting a ticket that carries a $5K fine and possible one year prison...makes me say “nope” not going to chance it...needs to be in black and white before I gamble with my freedom..

[thedutchtouch]

i emailed the DNR using their contact us page, which lists the following 4 people:
Gregg Bortz
Media Relations Manager
direct: 410-260-8001
cell: 443-924-0012
Gregg.Bortz1@Maryland.gov

Megan McGinn-Meals
Public Information Officer
direct: 410-260-8002
megan.mcginn-meals@maryland.gov

Eric Shirk
Director, Office of Communications
410-260-8021
eric.shirk@maryland.gov

For Police Inquiries:
Lauren Moses
Public Information Officer, Natural Resources Police
direct: 410-260-8893
cell: 410-507-4691
lauren.moses@maryland.gov

i selected Megan McGinn-Meals as I'm a member of the public seeking information, but if I don't get a reply in a day or two 'Ill follow up with the rest of the list copied. They're working from home so hopefully will be able to get back to email at some point soon. It does seem like there's a bit of a grey area (actually I think its more I'm hoping that there's a grey area, as kayaks do not need to be registered etc, but are listed in the recreational boating regs...) the closest place for me to fish is a no boating lake anyway, so I'm going to err on the kayak angling is prohibited unless I hear otherwise angle, if they email me back saying it's OK I'll share a screenshot here and will be going out on the yak. I'm not worried about getting stopped out on the water, but I am worried about getting stopped with the kayak on top of the car so I'd like some written backup if it's allowed.

[john from md]

. At any rate, my wife and I buy a launch pass at a marina on the South River. She paddle boards, I have no idea how. I spend more time falling on those things. At any rate, what they are telling us that they are being told, and what was passed on to us is: "no paddling". .

What marina and how much is the pass? I used to launch my boat at the marina next to yellow fins but that used to be $20 a day. Launching is free at Homeport Farms but that hill takes a toll out of me these days.

[Big Mike]

From The Chesapeake Paddlers. Right now kayaking is considered recreational and meat fishing confined to shore with all your friends

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dr. Gregg, the organizer of the Watersedge Kayaking Meetup group, apparently spoke with the MD DNR this morning; they confirmed that at least for now even solo kayaking will be considered "recreational boating" and thus is banned under the MD Governor's most recent order, as to paddling in MD. MD residents are already banned under the order from leaving the state for nonessential purposes (such as recreation) and must self quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

From his post to WatersEdge:
.

"I just had a great and long conversation with the dnr police as of 902 this am. They are repeat ARE interpreting kayaking as a form of recreational boating and anyone out on the water in a kayak will be considered to be violating governor Hogan's directive and will be ticketed in some fashion. Fishing for food is only allowed from shore not from any kind of boat. Based on what they just told me it sounds like all kayakers should stay out of the water as of now. They did say that we should stay tuned for further declarations on the DNR Facebook page as things develop. So it looks like Watersedge kayak club and even solo recreational kayaking needs to be shut down in the state of Maryland as of now."

[Mark]

First, I've never posted before. But I've lurked for a long time and have learned a lot through the search function. So quick note of thanks to everyone thus far in my experience in this world. I promise to participate more, and currently I now have the time (as many of us do), so I will be trying to do so. Second, I'm as bummed as anyone here about all of this. I've been out a few times this year and was really looking forward to the warmer weather. At any rate, my wife and I buy a launch pass at a marina on the South River. She paddle boards, I have no idea how. I spend more time falling on those things. At any rate, what they are telling us that they are being told, and what was passed on to us is: "no paddling". Personally, I agree that all of us would be responsible and keep appropriate distancing etc. As well, I think it is a perfectly reasonable activity. However, it seems these are not reasonable times, and many folks are not responsible. To that end I think we may need to look at the spirit of the statement yesterday, not hunt for our goals in missing words: "No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes". If you fish for sustenance, it appears there is a bit of wiggle room there. I'm pretty much CNR, so I'll just organize my tackle, work on my crabbing gear, and wait patiently.

Also, I won't judge anyone that goes out. There is a part of me screaming, just throw it in the truck and go. I just wanted to share what I had heard etc. Best of luck to everyone, and stay safe out there.

Christian,

Very good post. I hope we hear more from you.

[Slackdaddy]

I am at a loss,
WHAT part of Hogan's directive is kayaking violating??
I have read the directive over and over,, there is no where that it even mentions recreational boating.

The closest thing it says is "Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running,
or biking," IS an Essential activity that is allowed

From The Chesapeake Paddlers. Right now kayaking is considered recreational and meat fishing confined to shore with all your friends

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dr. Gregg, the organizer of the Watersedge Kayaking Meetup group, apparently spoke with the MD DNR this morning; they confirmed that at least for now even solo kayaking will be considered "recreational boating" and thus is banned under the MD Governor's most recent order, as to paddling in MD. MD residents are already banned under the order from leaving the state for nonessential purposes (such as recreation) and must self quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

From his post to WatersEdge:
.

"I just had a great and long conversation with the dnr police as of 902 this am. They are repeat ARE interpreting kayaking as a form of recreational boating and anyone out on the water in a kayak will be considered to be violating governor Hogan's directive and will be ticketed in some fashion. Fishing for food is only allowed from shore not from any kind of boat. Based on what they just told me it sounds like all kayakers should stay out of the water as of now. They did say that we should stay tuned for further declarations on the DNR Facebook page as things develop. So it looks like Watersedge kayak club and even solo recreational kayaking needs to be shut down in the state of Maryland as of now."

[Yak67]

Paragraph #4

This is directly from DNR: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/0...at-home-order/

Yak67
2017 Hobie PA-12 Camo
2019 Hobie Outback

[TalonAngler]

Notes regarding this discussion:
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/0...oK1MkMsgNGPmqU