Part of an executive order released by our governor yesterday. Does this mean I'm not allowed to go fishing?? (sigh)

Wow, I think I've heard of 'guidelines' and 'strongly recommended' but this one is worded like an order. I'm not sure anyone else has something like this.

After listening to the projected outcome of this on the news (press conference) yesterday all of us might have this happen soon though.

Fresh air and exercise are critical to health. Our legal system is based on the “spirit” or “intent” of the mandate. The order is to stay away from other people and from places/objects that other people may have contaminated. There is nothing preventing you from standing on the shore of a lake and fishing as long as you can get there and back without having contact with people. Of course, if you are in a major metropolitan area then you have no choice but to stay in your home just because of population density. This is why I will never live in such an area. Social distancing has been a lifestyle choice for me since the 80s. 

Well, called the Health Dept to get clarification and they said I would be in violation of the order and subject to fines if I had contact with law enforcement. I live outside the city limits and have a straight shot down the highway to reach our wildlife refuge, 20 minutes away. Wildlife refuge is under federal jurisdiction, so I would be ok once I enter, but don't know if I want to chance it. I've never broken a law in my life. Sitting here looking at my kayaks and rods during the spawn is almost too much to bear. 

14 minutes ago, Harold Scoggins said:

Well, called the Health Dept to get clarification and they said I would be in violation of the order and subject to fines if I had contact with law enforcement. I live outside the city limits and have a straight shot down the highway to reach our wildlife refuge, 20 minutes away. Wildlife refuge is under federal jurisdiction, so I would be ok once I enter, but don't know if I want to chance it. I've never broken a law in my life. Sitting here looking at my kayaks and rods during the spawn is almost too much to bear. 

I'm almost in the same boat. Ice is breaking up here and though it's another 6&1/2 weeks to bass opener, I'd like to get my canoe out for mod-testing and some panfishing before that.

 

Unfortunately, my wife is partially disabled and I'm her PCA. We do get someone in once a week during fishing season for 4 hours a time, but with this thing going on and our 'fill-in' being a parent with a 2-year old...she's being extra cautious. So for right now, we don't have anyone to come and take care of the wife while I'm out...so I'm stuck with maybe a little shore-fishing here and there until this whole mess blows over.

 

I feel your pain, sir.

42 minutes ago, Harold Scoggins said:

Well, called the Health Dept to get clarification and they said I would be in violation of the order and subject to fines if I had contact with law enforcement. I live outside the city limits and have a straight shot down the highway to reach our wildlife refuge, 20 minutes away. Wildlife refuge is under federal jurisdiction, so I would be ok once I enter, but don't know if I want to chance it. I've never broken a law in my life. Sitting here looking at my kayaks and rods during the spawn is almost too much to bear. 

That’s just insane.

I'm in a similar situation. The city that I live in has closed all city parks. The two lakes that I fish the most are in those city parks. So, unless I want to drive an hour or more, no fishing for me.?

The thing is, when I'm fishing at either of these lakes, I'm usually the only one in sight.

 

Tom

Seems like some states have stricter guidelines than others do on this.  Minnesota is allowing people to recreate outdoors (which includes fishing and hunting) but you have to do it alone or only with someone from the same household.  Granted, our open water season isn't really open yet at this time because there's still ice, but if it gets extended, it is still possible to abide by the rules and fish.

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

Seems like some states have stricter guidelines than others do on this.  Minnesota is allowing people to recreate outdoors (which includes fishing and hunting) but you have to do it alone or only with someone from the same household.  Granted, our open water season isn't really open yet at this time because there's still ice, but if it gets extended, it is still possible to abide by the rules and fish.

One place that's close that I won't go once the ice is of is Black Lake (part of Minnetonka group) - even without people out of work, that place is usually shoulder-to-shoulder anyway.

 

I know a couple other spots...so I won't totally be off from fishing...but until something happens, I won't be taking the canoe out - home issue.

I'm waiting for them to close down our parks completely.  They have already closed down sections of the parks because there were too many people and not enough social distancing. 

If yesterday was any indication then the lakes will be next.

When I think of vulnerable, Harold Scoggins is the very last thing I think of.

When they order a statewide shelter in place, I will let you know what the fine is because I am going fishing. 

Every day, if not hourly one can read of someone disregarding the message regarding the necessary steps to “flatten the curve” while sheltering in place. Calaveras County, the one Mark Twain wrote about issued a broad order, and Section 5 defines what is and isn’t an “essential function”, with sub-section “k” pretty much eliminates any questions.

 

Hopefully things don’t get to this point in your neck of the woods.
 

https://covid19.calaverasgov.us/Portals/COVID19/Documents/Press Releases/Public Health Officer Order 3-27-2020.pdf?ver=2020-03-27-160710-863 
 

Be well everyone 

 

25 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I will let you know what the fine is

$1,000 and up to 180 days in jail.  Which means you'll be let out of jail in October.  You can enjoy the fishing season from the confines of your cell.

 

3 minutes ago, Glenn said:

$1,000 and up to 180 days in jail.  Which means you'll be let out of jail in October.  You can enjoy the fishing season from the confines of your cell.

 

I will take my chances, or I will just tell them I'm on my way to get some new furniture since those are on the "essential" list. Of course, that wouldn't have anything to do with money and people in charge now would it?

 

Also, I would request they make sure I am kept at least 6 feet away from any of the other inmates, for my personal safety of course.  

3 minutes ago, Glenn said:

$1,000 and up to 180 days in jail.  Which means you'll be let out of jail in October.  You can enjoy the fishing season from the confines of your cell.

 

5 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Also, I would request they make sure I am kept at least 6 feet away from any of the other inmates, for my personal safety of course.  

Our cells are 8man cells, you'd be housed with 7 other people ? It's a terrible design really.

 

We haven't gotten to that point yet here. Still allowed to go fishing, but a lot of people aren't following the social distancing guidelines and I'm afraid that's going to be the reason it gets shut down. I'll have to start towing my boat and fishing in my uniform then ?

Just maybe if people will follow the rules we can all get back to doing the things we love, instead of spreading this nasty virus.

In my county there have been 9 suicides since Friday. Still only one death from corona but that is bound to rise. People are quite starved for human interaction. Mental health might suffer greatly if they lock up everyone 

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

In my county there have been 9 suicides since Friday. Still only one death from corona but that is bound to rise. People are quite starved for human interaction. Mental health might suffer greatly if they lock up everyone 

Wife showed me something yesterday. Every year, the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation get together for Marina Sirtis' birthday...this year they did it via video conference call. Still had fun, joking and such, but kept distance.

 

There are ways to still interact, but keep that distance.

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Still allowed to go fishing, but a lot of people aren't following the social distancing guidelines and I'm afraid that's going to be the reason it gets shut down.

Exactly.  If people can't figure out that they need to stay away from others before, during, and after some fishing then its going to ruin it for everyone, including the anglers who ARE following the guidelines.

Article released by MIT today saying their studies show that actually about 27 feet distance is needed.

 

Also this morning,

Fauci says that by Mid April we will be doing 2000 deaths/day in the US. Approx. 82,000 by August. Some governors aren't doing enough for mitigation. The Feds certainly have their heads up their A----.

 

I think so far it's been a picnic compared to the next couple of months.

 

3 minutes ago, DanielG said:

The Feds certainly have their heads up their A----

Nothing new there.

4 hours ago, ike8120 said:

Just maybe if people will follow the rules we can all get back to doing the things we love

That's a pipe dream.  We've already witnessed defiant people on this thread. It's why ALL fishing, hunting, and natural resource land access is banned in our state.  Even then, people are still defiant. 

 

So now they're arresting and fining them, and pressing criminal AND civil charges.

 

Just takes a couple of selfish individuals to ruin it for everyone.

I watched a video from a doc in New York City that said the great majority of transfer of this thing is hand to face. Not so much the air...
They closed all the parks and the beaches which is a mystery to me. The last thing I want is to be around people when I’m  trying to fish in NORMAL times, much less during something like this.

Im fortunate to live on a lake ,which I am within the law to fish at this time. I will be fishing in my lake for now.And no, I won’t be near anyone. 
Like @TnRiver46 said, this may lead to a mental health crisis if we can’t work and aren’t allowed our freedoms...which could end up worse than this virus in the long run.