COVID-19 Resources for the Recreational Fisherman

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Keep America Fishing continues to monitor the current situation and its potential impact on the recreational fishing industry.

GO FISHING!

We hope that you continue to spend time on the water. What better way is there to practice ‘social distancing,’ as health authorities recommend, than to seize the opportunity to get outside and enjoy some fishing? To that end, we have included some resources to help you stay up to date on ways to do just that.

State Natural Resources Agencies

Recognizing the significant threat that COVID-19 poses to the American public, Keep America Fishing supports federal and state land management and fisheries agencies modifying their policies to ensure the safety of their employees and the public. Additionally, we support efforts by the agencies to:

Encourage the public to pursue reasonable and responsible fishing activities.

Keep fishing access sites open to the public as much as possible and make information on facility openings and closings widely available and accessible.

Ensure that the electronic purchase of fishing licenses, boat registrations and other permits are widely promoted and accessible to the public.

Learn more about each state’s fish and wildlife agency response to COVID-19.

#ResponsibleRecreation – A New Crowdsourcing Hashtag

Several outdoor organizations have come together to crowdsource #ResponsibleRecreation as a way to inform the public on the need to act responsibly when recreating outdoors in the era of COVID-19.

When you are posting to social media, be sure to include #ResponsibleRecreation.

Learn More

Sportfishing Industry Asks Governors to Support Recreational Fishing

Amid growing closures and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) recently sent letters to each of the fifty governors requesting that they keep recreational fishing opportunities and businesses open as much as possible.

The letters were delivered to the governors’ offices on Friday, March 27.

Here are some tips to getting outdoors in the next few weeks and months:

• Plan for outdoor activities nearby like camping, fishing or biking.

• Take stock of your gear, give it a deep clean, plan your next outdoor trip for when the dust settles.

• Remember to follow CDC guidelines and local regulations. Some national and state parks will be closed or have limited access. Be sure to see what is open as circumstances are changing rapidly and look for low visitation areas to keep parking lots and other areas that attract visitors within social distancing standards.

• Take time to recognize the people working and staffing your favorite park, bike shop or campsite. They are anxious like the rest of us and don’t want to be put in unsafe situations. The private sector is working with federal and state governments by coming to the table with best practices to help keep open space facilities clean, safe and within CDC guidelines so they can stay open.

• Remember that when you are camping or recreating in rural areas, the local health care systems could be stressed and taxed. This is all part of understanding that our actions impact others and it’s best to stay close to home at this time.

• Meanwhile, outdoor businesses are suffering so think about ways to support your favorite outdoor retailer, campground, tackle or bike shop, like buying a gift certificate!

• This is a rapidly evolving situation, with guidance changing daily. So, make a plan and a backup plan, but get outside for Vitamin D and sanity, if only for a walk!

This section courtesy of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. Read more.

Take Me Fishing

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