Idaho BUMMER!

[Lotech Joe]

I live in Liberty Lake, Washington. Hauser Lake in Idaho is just across the border from me and I have on occasion gone there to do a little blue gill fishing. I don't harvest any but I do have fun just catching them and releasing them. They aren't big enough to keep and eat anyway, but they are a blast to catch. I went there today to check and see if the the lake was thawed out yet and was met by a sign that says that there is now a launch fee. Boats registered in Idaho have to pay $4.00 to launch and boats registered outside of Idaho have to pay $8.00. HOLY COW!!!! $8.00 just to put my 12' jon boat in the water. I would have to pay I think about $13.00 for a one day fishing license, $8.00 a day to launch, plus this year all none Idaho boats have to purchase a $20 per year "Non Invasive Species" decal for their boat. Next thing you know, they will be charging a parking permit for your truck & trailer, and an anchoring fee to put an anchor overboard. I don't think Idaho wants me to visit them any more. I know they have essentially taken Hauser Lake away from me as one of my play grounds. BUMMER! I'll be fishing Washington exclusively this year. Idaho can go pi$$ up a rope.
Rant over. Sorry for the language but I'm really miffed.

[Marc Martyn]

Why not try Newman Lake. That is a stones throw from you.


Unfortunately, I think in a year or two, all launches will have fees, even for float tubes. Remember the free national forest campgrounds when they used to place a stack of wood next to the fire pit for campers to use? Those days are long gone.

It is another way to bring in revenue when the states are financially strapped.

[Lotech Joe]

Ya Marc, I know where to fish at Newman but I can't get there. The public launch is at one end and the good fishing is at the other end. Too far to row or take an electric troller. My loss.

[raffensg64]

That's horrible, Joe, sorry to hear that. Sounds like Idaho has joined the club in attempting to make more money in tough economic times. When I was at Sprague the other day I noticed that nearly all bank fishermen were using two rods, implying $24 a pop for that second rod. Washington should make a killing off that gimmick when the new license season begins April 1st.

[Rich McVey]

Yea, we buy a year pass for Tapps. Possibly a year pass for the State Parks. Plus the DNR pass with you fishing license... Then there are city launches (Sawyer - $5)

It is very limiting unless you have plenty of cash to keep feeding the parking. We have cut down on the lakes we will goto because of that. I prefer to buy year passes that cover multiple lakes (Wa St Parks has 44 launches) some are fresh, some salt, some are on selective gear lakes.

As much as I dont prefer Lake Tapps, the economics of it all make me a regular there.

[G-Man]

Hey Joe I feel your pain man, check out this launch fee. And no, there are no typos.

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Boat Launch (Lake Washington)

Combined boat launch and tow vehicle parking fees:
Day use expires at midnight on the day of purchase. Twenty-four (24) hour use expires at midnight the day following the purchase. Credit and/or debit cards only are accepted. No cash or check.

Day Use: Resident $10/Non-residents $20
24-Hour Use: Residents $20/Non-residents $40

Resident Passes:
Residents must obtain and display a Renton Resident Pass when paying resident rates. Passes may be obtained free of charge at the Renton Community Center. Proof of Renton residency and tow vehicle registration required.

Annual Passes:
Annual passes are available at the Renton Community Center. Fees are $100 for non-residents and $50 for residents. Tow vehicle registration is required for all annual passes. In addition, proof of Renton residency is required to receive the resident rate. Addresses within the greater Renton area do not accurately indicate whether or not a household and/or business is located within Renton city limits.

I use the Bellevue launch for Lake Washington and buy an annual pass as it is only a quick 5 minute drive from the house. Here are their fees:

2010 Fees:
• Daily launch – Monday to Thursday - $10
• Daily launch – Friday, Saturday, Sunday - $11
• Annual individual permit -
$110 – residents
$136.50 – nonresidents
• Annual commercial permits - $245

I hope that eases the pain a little bit. It sucks when you get charged a fee for something that did not have one before. Once you start adding up all the costs for an outing, I can see why folks are tempted to stay at home and watch the boob tube all day.

[Bodofish]

You hit it G! $8.00 for a launch is nothing! Now the non-invasive species sticker is supposed to go solely to support the program. They are putting in washdown stations at most launches where there may be a zebra problem, in an attempt to stem the tide. It's a good thing if you plan to use ID waters or not. Don't bring any zebras home with you!!!!! As a side note the fees to boat in ID are fairly negligable compaired to other states or Canada. In this day and age if ya wanna play ya gotta pay! My friends in ID had a hard time with the $20.00 sticker till I put in perspective for them.
Joe, I'm sure finances are tight but if you plan to fish much in ID don't feel bad about supporting the cause. They put a lot of really nice fish into the Columbia system and we all get to fish for them!

[mav186]

LTJ...man you live in one of the most populated, lake infested areas this State has to offer...plus it is God's Country over there, beautiful as ever....if anything, IM ENVIOUS! (Hope all is well)

[Kfedka]

Lotech Joe I'm in your same shoes. Small 12ft boat, they has the same fee amount last year as well. Makes it for an short run to the lake, but expensive.

I will hit Hauser either way this year, since I did buy a year pass.

[reelman]

Idaho has jacked up its out of state license price too, over $100. I'm not sure the folks over there understand supply and demand. I they want us to come to the state to spend our money, don't "tax" us to start. I'm pretty sure they'll find, especially as things are economically, that they will make less money on licenses and fewer fishermen will visit and spend money on the other trappings of a fishing trip.

[8theB8]

Oh God, please tell me the WDFW hasn't started running Idaho waters as well!!! LOL What a joke! Maybe we should all quit trying to peacefully enjoy ourselves fishing, camping, and hunting and just hang out around schools and sell crack?!

[Lotech Joe]

Idaho has jacked up its out of state license price too, over $100. I'm not sure the folks over there understand supply and demand. I they want us to come to the state to spend our money, don't "tax" us to start. I'm pretty sure they'll find, especially as things are economically, that they will make less money on licenses and fewer fishermen will visit and spend money on the other trappings of a fishing trip.

I enjoy fishing the St. Joe, NF Coeur d' alene, Lochsa & Selway rivers in Idaho, but at these new prices Idaho won't see me again. Too bad.

[hewesfisher]

Ya Marc, I know where to fish at Newman but I can't get there. The public launch is at one end and the good fishing is at the other end. Too far to row or take an electric troller. My loss.

Joe, there is pretty darn good fishing a whole lot closer to the public launch you can easily get to with your boat. Matter of fact, I caught my biggest crappie ever a couple years ago straight across from the public launch.

[Lotech Joe]

Ya Marc, I know where to fish at Newman but I can't get there. The public launch is at one end and the good fishing is at the other end. Too far to row or take an electric troller. My loss.

Joe, there is pretty darn good fishing a whole lot closer to the public launch you can easily get to with your boat. Matter of fact, I caught my biggest crappie ever a couple years ago straight across from the public launch.

Phil,
Let's talk. PM me if you'd like to share some info. I'm desperate.
Thanks Ahead,

[Lotech Joe]

Ya Marc, I know where to fish at Newman but I can't get there. The public launch is at one end and the good fishing is at the other end. Too far to row or take an electric troller. My loss.

Joe, there is pretty darn good fishing a whole lot closer to the public launch you can easily get to with your boat. Matter of fact, I caught my biggest crappie ever a couple years ago straight across from the public launch.

Phil,
Let's talk. PM me if you'd like to share some info. I'm desperate.
Thanks Ahead,