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.

The bill as referred to committee not considered.

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.

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 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.