SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1226
As Passed Senate - Amended, February 23, 2024
Title: An act relating to providing for recreational licensing of smelt, crawfish, and carp.
Brief Description: Providing for recreational licensing of smelt, crawfish, and carp.
Sponsors: Representatives Chapman and Fitzgibbon; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Brief History: Passed House: 1/24/24, 56-39.
Committee Activity: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: 2/19/24, 2/19/24 [DPA].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate - Amended: 2/23/24, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
(As Amended by Senate)
  • Provides that a person must obtain a recreational fishing or shellfish license in order to fish for carp, smelt, and crawfish.
  • Specifies a recreational fishing license is not required to fish for carp in Moses Lake or Vancouver Lake.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Van De Wege, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Muzzall, Ranking Member; Short, Stanford, Wagoner and Warnick.
Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7428)
Background:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for the management of the state's fish and wildlife resources and establishes basic rules and regulations governing the time, place, manner, and methods used to harvest or enjoy fish and wildlife. As a part of this responsibility, WDFW issues licenses, tags, endorsements, and permits for hunting and fishing in Washington. Categories of fishing licenses include freshwater licenses, saltwater licenses, and combination licenses. There are several endorsements, stamps, permits, or other surcharges required for particular activities in addition to a fishing license. Fee amounts for fishing licenses, stamps, permits, and endorsements are set in statute.  A fishing license is not required to fish for freshwater smelt, carp, or crawfish.
Summary of Amended Bill:

A person must obtain a recreational fishing or shellfish license in order to fish for smelt, carp, and crawfish.  However, a recreational fishing license is not required to fish for carp in Moses Lake or Vancouver Lake.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Striking Amendment:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO:  While there are people that see carp as a problem fish, it is also a food fish and commercial fish.  There are a number of carp caught commercially in Vancouver Lake.  There is also a concern regarding wastage, however, there are uses such as fertilizer that may be a way to use carp. 

 

OTHER:  Is is invaluable to allow recreational fishing for carp without a license.  Very few people fish for carp.  There is support for requiring a license for carp in areas where enforcement is an issue.  Too many carp in a lake can lead to water quality issues and algae growth.  There needs to be a work group that looks into this issue, especially the concern over wastage. 
Persons Testifying: PRO: Tom McBride, WDFW.
OTHER: James Luce, Friends of Vancouver Lake.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.