Go Fish: Washington state to allow some outdoor activities

OLYMPIA, Wash. (NEWS 1130) – Hunting, fishing, and even golfing will be allowed again in Washington state by early May, Governor Jay Inslee announced Monday in a press conference focused on outdoor activities during the pandemic.

The governor’s order relaxing some restrictions on May 5th comes with the stipulation that “appropriate safety precautions” must be taken while fishing, hunting, or golfing.

State parks and some public lands managed by the state will be open for day use only, restricting activities like camping.

The order also returns lands managed by the state Department of Natural Resources and areas under the control of Fish and Wildlife. This includes protected natural and wildlife areas that can be accessed by the public.

Starting May 5th, those of us in Whatcom County can again use places like Birch Bay State Park… during the day.

Governor Inslee announced he's relaxing restrictions on some outdoor activities — but a big number of parks remained open during the pandemic in Whatcom County: pic.twitter.com/3XaFCBXMr5

— Peter Wagner (@peterjontheair) April 28, 2020

Gates opening up at state parks like Birch Bay and Peace Arch will significantly balloon amount of land people in the state can use to stave off boredom.

But not all of the vast wilderness and dry plains of Washington are the state government’s concern, meaning some city and county parks remained at least accessible for most of the pandemic.

Parks run by Whatcom County remained open, for instance, but officials implored people to maintain social distancing while wandering.

Schools and some empty church yards have taken on a new life in parts of the northwest as socially distanced public parks, no matter what day of the week it may be.

Over the weekend, discontent with staying home materialized into a rally, as KOMO reports a group of boaters demonstrated near the governor’s office, calling for a return to fishing.