Can I go out fishing with a stay-at-home order?

Can I go out fishing with a stay-at-home order?

If you’re an eager angler, and I assume you are because you’re reading this, then you probably know the answer to this.  The answer is yes.  So long as you adhere to social distancing recommendations, you can be outside recreating. [edit: keep in mind that cramming with a friend or friends into a car or small boat would not be considered good social distancing.]

Larimer County just issued a stay-at-home order effective Thursday 3/26/20.  This is where I am and I have not looked closely at the details of other jurisdictions.  This is a summary from the Larimer County main order page:

During a stay-at-home order you are able to:

I’m glad they included the margarita item.  I think fishing should make that list, but I suppose it’s not feasible to cover all activities. Just keep your distance.  Most of us typically do.

In fact, I cannot think of another recreational activity with participants that are so inclined to keep at a distance.  A 150 foot minimum distance is common among anglers.  That is the prescribed distance boats must stay from shore anglers, and this is typically held as a good minimum spacing distance when you’re out fishing in any form on any body of water.  Fly fishermen, well the distance may be more like 2 miles.  And ice fishermen, well, sometimes it’s more like 15 feet.  But still greater than the recommended 6 feet. 

I received an email correspondence today from Matt Nichols, Aquatic Section Manager for CPW.  He said the walleye spawn was suspended due to social distancing health recommendations. I’ve been on those floating spawn offices – it is tight (and sliippery) to say the least.  Biologists across the state at this time are preparing for their “field” season and analyzing data.  Hatcheries are still in production but closed to visitors - they are still producing and stocking fish.  Stocked trout lovers rejoice!  And heck, that is great news for all the kids that need something to do this spring.  Nichols said they are encouraging people to get out and fish.  Here here.  As long as you follow all the guidelines from the CDC and CDPHE.

The CPW just issued a release today about the state of walleye in Colorado to address concerns from the angling public since the spawn operation ended early.  Around 6.5 million eggs were still harvested - they’re going to make the best of it, and say the populations in CO are strong.  Focus from this year’s harvest will be placed on the brood waters of Pueblo, Chatfield, and Cherry Creek.

I just purchased my Colorado 2020-2021 fishing license online, which is good from now for more than a year through March 31, 2021.  I’d suggest doing this early so that you don’t miss a beat.  With all that is going on, and uncertainty of postage times, at least you will have a TAN (a proof of your license purchase) when April 1 comes around and you need a new license.  The TAN is good for 14 days from when you purchase it.  I’d typically also suggest that you can buy from a physical store, but many are closed (any gas stations out there selling licenses? I’m sure there are, post in the comments if you know of any).

Today I was out running in a Fort Collins Natural Area which is home to a stretch of the Poudre River and a few ponds.  I saw a ranger pull in with a pickup truck and set up a construction-style easel, ready to post a sign. We stopped and asked about it, fearing that she was posting a closure sign. Instead to my appreciation she was posting a sign simply about maintaining social spacing while in the area.  Good news, although I am not sure we need a big orange reminder on a nature trail at this point.

In the end, many of us are now under a stay-at-home order.  Remind yourself that this is not the same as house arrest.  Get out and do something outside.  My choice and likely yours is to go fishing.  This should not become known as the Netflix Era.  It should become known as the Net Fish Era.