Are any lakes closing in your area?

[M Bruns]

On 3/20/2020 at 7:20 PM, M Bruns said:

Illinois now has a "stay at home" order until April 7 so we can't even drive to private lakes apparently as it's "non-essential".  

Finally got some clarification and luckily I was wrong.

 

[Quarry Man]

On 3/18/2020 at 2:06 PM, skekoam said:

Given the current Covid-19 crisis, I'm curious if any lakes in your area are closing.  Similar to golf courses, I would think lakes would be one of the best places to be in open air and automatic social distancing.   I was talking to a local guide this morning and he thinks it is a real possibility here in California.

My two favorite spring/summer hobbies are golf and fishing. Both are closed completely in my area. I am stuck with private ponds and water, but its still snowing here and school has just started online.

[scaleface]

When we get some good stable weather I'm loading up the truck and go camping for a couple of days . The small river visited will be flooded and I have access to this spot where a creek dumps in creating a huge eddy .  All types of fish will congregate there  . I'll tight line with worms and some stink bait . Try for a bass or two  up shallow . I wont even need toilet paper , paper towels work better .

[schplurg]

Talked to a Ranger an hour ago (I typed this yesterday but didn't submit) while fishing from the bank. Not sure who he was with didn't get that close. He checked my license from a distance, sun in my eyes.

 

This is in Santa Clara County - he said it's fine to bank fish now as it's an outdoor activity. There were many people fishing today as well as yesterday. More than normal I'd say, which isn't a lot. You can park anywhere along the road and fish. I walked across the dam.

 

He's more concerned about the parks in the city where he feels people are abusing the exercise rule. Too many people touching too many surfaces, especially kids who will pick their nose any chance they can.

 

I saw some carp jump. No bites for me. 55 degree water. This was at Chesbro Lake.

 

Things can change any time of course. I forgot all about this virus stuff for three hours or so today while fishing. I needed that. Tomorrow I have to work and think a lot about it.

[WRB]

Casitas closed today and I expect Chacuma, Pyrimde, Piru, Castiac will follow.

These are public use lakes run by the cities or county personnel no longer working.

Tom

[Mobasser]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

When we get some good stable weather I'm loading up the truck and go camping for a couple of days . The small river visited will be flooded and I have access to this spot where a creek dumps in creating a huge eddy .  All types of fish will congregate there  . I'll tight line with worms and some stink bait . Try for a bass or two  up shallow . I wont even need toilet paper , paper towels work better .

Ya, if they shut down my main lakes, I've got access to a nice 4acre farm pond I can still fish. One way or another, I'm still going fishing

[JustJames]

On 3/20/2020 at 8:57 AM, skekoam said:

and I thought we are friends

Hahaha just kidding, you can come anytime including your son (no school), as long as no shake hands and stay 6’ apart.

[looking45]

Clear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Ca for tournaments and big fish, has been closed by the county. All of the ramps are blocked and have signage. Anyone caught on the lake will be fined $500. 

[TnRiver46]

They closed the great smoky mountains national park today. Most visited national park in the US 

[gim]

The Rainy River along US-Canada border in northern Minnesota has been closed for catch and release walleye/sturgeon season.  Four access points are operated by the county and the board made the decision to close them last night.  I don't know if there are any other access points up there (public or private) but its quite obvious that they don't want people coming in from more urban areas right and at least for a while.

[rboat]

Many Florida boat ramps closed, but I believe it is a county by county decision. It really doesnt make sense. I have never gotten 6 feet close to anybody at a boat ramp unless I wanted to. Depending on the day and season, Sometimes you are the only one there.

[WRB]

3 hours ago, looking45 said:

Clear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Ca for tournaments and big fish, has been closed by the county. All of the ramps are blocked and have signage. Anyone caught on the lake will be fined $500. 

Fines for residents with boat docks isn’t going to be enforced.

Tom

PS, The order covers all recreational boating to 10 April, good luck enforcing that!

[TnRiver46]

15 minutes ago, WRB said:

Fines for residents with boat docks isn’t going to be enforced.

Tom

PS, The order covers all recreational boating to 10 April, good luck enforcing that!

Wow 

[Bankbeater]

Mo. DNR has waived fishing permits, and trout permits until April 15.  Campgrounds, offices, facilities, and lodgings will be closed from March 27 to April 30.  The 3 big trout parks will remain open, but the parks will not be stocked.  Boat ramps operated by the DNR will remain open.

[Harold Scoggins]

I just heard that all Texas lakes are closed until June 1st, anyone else hear this??

[Yumeya]

All lakes in Utah are still open to my knowledge.

[Ksam1234]

All lakes in New York still open.. I am looking forward to pre spawn as it’s my first year with my own boat!! Don’t tell me 2020 is ruined .. I’ll go regardless lol

[anglerwannab]

All the state  park in Pennsylvania are closed , limiting  a lot of access. Hoping to find a  hard to reach section of    river   to comply with  social distancing  requirements.With everyone off from work , just finding a legal place to park without  a dozen  cars in it is a challenge  right now .

[Harold Scoggins]

11 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

I just heard that all Texas lakes are closed until June 1st, anyone else hear this??

Lakes still open, park offices are closed.

[Koz]

South Carolina ordered all State Parks closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays but I expect we'll see that expand in the next few weeks.

 

I'm headed to the SC Lowcountry this weekend to take care of my parents for a few days and hopefully I can get in some bank fishing in the residential lagoons while I'm there. It's about this time of year that the pre-spawn fishing gets really, really good there.

[GTN-NY]

[Armtx77]

On 3/19/2020 at 9:27 AM, Choporoz said:

Parks and ramps in Northern VA are being closed....more each day; 'state lakes' are currently planning to stay open.  I get that some staff has been reduced or told to stay home, but the local park system is even closing unmanned ramps and kayak launches....go figure that outP

A

[redux]

People in FL are amazingly acting like idiots. Massive gatherings of people on boats or gathering on shore. Nearly all ramps in Orange county are closed and Seminole county was supposed to have closed their as well because of large parties on the St. Johns.

 

Glad I finally picked up a kayak 2 weeks ago when I started working from home. Within 3 miles of my house I have a pile of lakes that I can access from shore that don't allow motors and few if any people live on. Limited docks (I love fishing docks) but very ignorant fish.

 

I load up at 3:30, log off at 4, and am on the water in about 20 minutes. Social distancing at its finest.

[Koz]

For those interested, South Carolina DNR just re-opened some lakes for bank fishing only. Here's the list: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2020/apr/a3_lakes.php

 

However, just this afternoon Governor McMaster issued an order telling everyone to stay home unless they are working, visiting family, going out for essential services (groceries, medical appointments), or exercising.

 

I'm wondering if walking the banks and fishing counts as exercising. My son and I were planning to go Lake Edwin Johnson tomorrow to throw a baseball around (they have large grassy areas and all of the ballparks are closed) and do some bank fishing.

[redux]

Koz, official order is here - https://governor.sc.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Executive-Orders/2020-04-06 eFILED Executive Order No. 2020-21 - Stay at Home or Work Order.pdf

 

Hopefully posting a non-active link is within the rules here.

 

Go to Section 1, sub-section E, Part 5 for details. I would call or check websites of the relevant city, county, and state officials to be sure the location you want to fish is open for use.